The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over alleged attacks on opposition political parties, political intimidation and threats against citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, raised the concerns at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, where he presented documented cases of alleged political violence against the party in several states.
Abdullahi said every Nigerian had the right to support a political party of choice, while registered political parties were entitled to hold meetings and conduct lawful activities without intimidation.
He said the government had a responsibility to protect those rights, while the police must enforce the law without political bias.
According to him, the party’s memorandum examined incidents reported between July 2025 and September 2026 in Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi and Enugu states.
He said the incidents included attacks on political meetings, destruction of party property, assaults on political participants and threats against citizens over their political affiliations.
Abdullahi cited an attack on the ADC secretariat in Benin, Edo State, in February during a political gathering, as well as reported gunshots at the residence of former Edo State governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
He said although the Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident, acknowledged the reported damage at Oyegun’s residence and ordered an investigation, the party had yet to receive information on any arrests, prosecution or the outcome of the probe.
“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 a party member was killed when members of the party were attacked while preparing for a political meeting in Rivers State.
He further alleged that ADC members preparing for meetings in two wards in Kogi State were attacked, leaving several people injured.
Abdullahi called for investigations into the incidents, including allegations involving private individuals and public security personnel suspected of complicity or failure to prevent the attacks.
He also expressed concern over alleged inflammatory statements by some members of the ruling party, warning that such rhetoric could heighten political tension ahead of the elections.
He referred to reported comments by political actors in Imo State, the Federal Capital Territory, Edo and Osun, which he said contained threats of physical punishment, eviction or violence against citizens based on their political affiliations.
The ADC spokesman urged the authorities to investigate such statements and ensure that political actors were held accountable where their conduct violated the law.
He said the party was not seeking special treatment but demanding the enforcement of existing constitutional protections for citizens and political organisations.
Abdullahi said the ADC remained committed to non-violence and had directed its candidates and members to avoid rhetoric capable of inciting violence or deepening ethnic and religious divisions.
He, however, warned that continued attacks and the perceived failure of security agencies to protect citizens could have dangerous consequences.
“We cannot control how people will respond when they have been attacked and that is why we are serving this notice,” he added.
He disclosed that the party maintained a central record of reported incidents, including dates, locations, witness accounts, photographic and video evidence, medical documentation and complaints submitted to law enforcement agencies.
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“We keep records. We document every single incident,” he said, adding that the party would engage relevant national, regional and international institutions to ensure that the complaints received appropriate attention.
Abdullahi urged Nigeria’s international partners, including the Economic Community of West African States, to assess not only events on election day but also the conditions under which political parties organised and citizens participated in the months preceding the 2027 elections.
He said the protection of political meetings, investigation of complaints, freedom to campaign and impartiality of security agencies should form part of any assessment of electoral credibility.
“An election is not free and fair if opposition parties cannot campaign freely, hold meetings or advertise their candidates and political parties,” he added.
Abdullahi urged President Bola Tinubu to protect all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations or voting preferences.
He also expressed concern over proposals for state police, warning that the institution could be weaponised against opposition parties if adequate safeguards were not established.
