By Stephen Simon
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that continued attacks on its members and alleged failure by security agencies to act against perpetrators could push opposition supporters towards self-defence and further threaten preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, raised the concern during an interview on Channels Television, following the party’s complaints about political violence, intimidation and attacks on its activities in several states.
Abdullahi said the ADC had documented incidents involving attacks on political meetings, destruction of party property, assaults and threats linked to political affiliations between July 2025 and September 2026. He cited alleged attacks in Rivers, Kogi, Edo, Enugu and other states.
He alleged that an ADC member was killed in Rivers State while preparing for a political meeting, while supporters organising meetings in Kogi State were also allegedly attacked, leaving some injured. The party has called for investigations and accountability in the reported cases.
Abdullahi urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the police to publicly condemn political violence and demonstrate that those responsible would be investigated and prosecuted.
He warned that continued failure to protect political actors could encourage affected supporters to take matters into their own hands, although he stressed that the ADC remained committed to non-violence.
The party spokesman said ADC candidates had been directed to avoid statements capable of provoking ethnic or religious tension, maintaining that members should be able to organise meetings and participate in political activities without fear.
On the 2027 elections, Abdullahi also said the ADC would independently collate polling-unit results rather than rely entirely on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He said the decision followed the party’s experience in the 2023 elections, when technical problems affected the automatic transmission of results to the IReV portal.
He acknowledged that INEC retained the legal authority to collate and announce election results, but said the ADC would maintain its own records and compare them with the commission’s eventual figures.
The party said it would accept results that correspond with figures recorded at polling units but would challenge outcomes it believes do not reflect the votes cast.
The ADC’s latest position comes amid its wider calls for security agencies to investigate reported attacks on opposition members and strengthen protection for political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
