Banner Online News

Opposition campaign council links attacks on political gatherings across states to alleged APC intimidation tactics, demands Tinubu’s intervention

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of promoting and encouraging political violence across the country, insisting that the ruling party cannot distance itself from attacks allegedly targeting opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ADC-PCC, in a strongly worded statement, described as hypocritical, disdainful and diversionary a statement by the APC Presidential Campaign Council condemning attacks on opposition parties during their political gatherings.

The opposition campaign council challenged the ruling party to take responsibility for what it described as an escalating wave of political violence and call its members to order rather than publicly expressing concern over incidents it allegedly helped to create.

In the statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC maintained that neither the APC nor the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could escape responsibility for what it called the growing climate of political violence threatening Nigeria’s democracy.

It accused the ruling party of attempting to divert public attention from its alleged complicity by presenting itself as a defender of political tolerance.

“The APC cannot pretend to be a victim of the very violence it has nurtured, funded and unleashed on Nigerians since it came to power,” the council declared.

Citing alleged incidents in Edo, Cross River, Gombe and Lagos states, the ADC-PCC claimed that a recurring pattern had emerged in which opposition gatherings were disrupted, supporters attacked, campaign materials destroyed and political activities obstructed.

The council also accused APC governors of allegedly institutionalising political intolerance in their respective states through the denial of rally venues to opposition parties, demolition of opposition offices, physical attacks on party members and destruction of vehicles belonging to opposition supporters.

It further alleged that opposition campaigns were being deliberately suffocated through restrictions on the display of party posters, erection of candidates’ billboards and organisation of public political activities, including the imposition of what it described as prohibitive and unattainable fees.

The ADC-PCC specifically linked the disruption of Thursday’s scheduled town hall meeting of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos to what it described as the APC’s established pattern of political intimidation and sabotage.

“The disruption of Thursday’s scheduled town hall meeting of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Lagos bears the unmistakable fingerprints of the APC,” it alleged.

“It is the same old script: orchestrate violence, intimidate the opposition, disrupt their activities and then issue public condemnations to cover up.”

The council argued that opposition parties had continued to engage Nigerians on pressing national challenges, including hunger, insecurity, unemployment and corruption, while questioning the performance of the Tinubu administration.

It alleged that the APC, faced with criticism over its record in government, had resorted to political intimidation rather than allowing competing parties to freely present their programmes and engage voters.

The ADC-PCC also questioned what it described as the sudden concern of the APC campaign council over political violence, recalling alleged attacks on ADC members and supporters, including the destruction of party billboards, disruption of rallies and physical assaults.

“Where was the APC’s condemnation when our billboards were destroyed, our rallies disrupted and our members brutalised?” the council asked.

It insisted that the ruling party’s latest condemnation was not motivated by a genuine commitment to peace but was an attempt to divert attention from allegations against its members.

The opposition campaign council consequently called on President Tinubu to heed the counsel of elder statesman, Professor Jerry Gana, and demonstrate the leadership expected of the President by ensuring that political activities across the country take place in an atmosphere of peace, tolerance and democratic freedom.

It stressed that the protection of opposition parties and their supporters was fundamental to the survival of Nigeria’s democracy, warning against allowing political intolerance to undermine citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of association, assembly and political participation.

The ADC-PCC further disclosed that it was compiling a comprehensive record of attacks allegedly suffered by its members and supporters across the country.

According to the council, the documentation would eventually be submitted to relevant international judicial and human rights institutions for appropriate attention.

The latest exchange between the two political campaign councils comes amid growing concerns over the safety of political gatherings and the need to guarantee a peaceful environment for political parties and their supporters as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

The allegations made by the ADC-PCC place renewed focus on the responsibility of political parties, security agencies and government authorities to prevent violence, investigate reported attacks and ensure that all political parties can freely exercise their democratic rights.