RismadarVoice Reporters
September 21, 2026
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for investigations into alleged attacks on opposition parties, political intimidation and threats against citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the call on Monday in Abuja while presenting a report documenting alleged incidents of political violence involving ADC members across several states.
Mr Abdullahi said Nigerians had the constitutional right to belong to and support political parties of their choice, while registered political parties should be able to hold meetings and conduct lawful activities without intimidation.
He said the government had a responsibility to safeguard those rights and urged security agencies, particularly the police, to enforce the law impartially.
According to him, the party’s report covered alleged incidents recorded between July 2025 and September 2026 in Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi and Enugu states.
He said the reported incidents ranged from attacks on political gatherings and destruction of party property to physical assaults and threats against individuals over their political affiliations.
Mr Abdullahi cited an alleged February attack on the ADC secretariat in Benin City, Edo State, during a political gathering.
He also referred to reported gunshots fired at the residence of former Edo State governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun.
According to him, the Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident, acknowledged reported damage to the residence and announced an investigation.
He, however, said the party had yet to receive information on arrests, prosecution or the outcome of the investigation.
“Since February, nothing has happened. No arrest, no prosecution and no report of what actually happened in the course of the investigation,” he said.
The ADC spokesman also alleged that some of the party’s members were attacked in Rivers State while preparing for a political meeting, resulting in the death of one member.
He further alleged that ADC members preparing for meetings in two wards in Kogi State were attacked, leaving several people injured.
Mr Abdullahi called for investigations into the reported incidents, including allegations involving private individuals and security personnel accused of either participating in the attacks or failing to prevent them.
He also raised concerns about alleged inflammatory statements by some members of the ruling party, saying such remarks could worsen political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
He cited reported comments by political actors in Imo, the Federal Capital Territory, Edo and Osun states, which he said contained threats of physical punishment, eviction or violence against citizens based on their political affiliations.
The ADC official urged relevant authorities to investigate such statements and prosecute anyone found to have violated the law.
He said the party was not seeking preferential treatment but wanted existing constitutional protections for citizens and political organisations to be enforced.
Mr Abdullahi said the ADC remained committed to non-violence and had directed its candidates and members to avoid statements that could incite violence or deepen ethnic and religious divisions.
He nevertheless warned that continued attacks and a perceived failure by security agencies to protect citizens could have serious consequences.
“We cannot control how people will respond when they have been attacked,d and that is why we are serving this notice,” he said.
The spokesman disclosed that the party maintained a central database of reported incidents, containing details such as dates, locations, witness accounts, photographic and video evidence, medical records and complaints filed with law enforcement agencies.
“We keep records. We document every single incident,” he said.
Mr Abdullahi said the party would engage relevant national, regional and international institutions to ensure that complaints were properly investigated and addressed.
He also urged Nigeria’s international partners, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to assess not only election-day activities but also the conditions under which political parties operate and citizens participate in the electoral process in the months leading to the 2027 elections.
He said the protection of political meetings, investigation of complaints, freedom to campaign and the impartiality of security agencies should be considered when assessing the credibility of the elections.
“An election is not free and fair if opposition parties cannot campaign freely, hold meetings or advertise their candidates and political parties,” he said.
Mr Abdullahi urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the protection of Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliations or voting preferences.
He also expressed reservations about proposals to establish state police, warning that such institutions could be used against opposition parties if adequate safeguards were not put in place.
