Abuja, Nigeria — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has slammed what it characterized as a violent seizure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat on Tuesday, claiming it was orchestrated by agents linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This incident has raised alarms about the state of democracy and political stability in Nigeria.
In a stern statement from its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed grave concerns over the disruption at the PDP headquarters. “The ADC condemns the brazen invasion of the PDP secretariat by operatives of the APC Federal Government,” Abdullahi stated, arguing that such actions pose a severe threat to Nigeria’s democratic fabric.
The party warned that this escalation indicates a troubling decline in democratic principles under the current administration. The ADC highlighted the incident as a significant violation of democratic norms that warrants condemnation from all political sectors. “This government has demonstrated anti-democratic tendencies since assuming power, and this incident only reinforces those concerns,” the statement noted.
According to the ADC, the violent takeover represents a new low in governance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signaling a disturbing trend toward political intimidation. The party reiterated that the government’s tactics of employing security forces for political agendas cannot be overlooked. “If the government can send armed agents to assert factional dominance over an opposition party, it raises serious questions about the treatment of other civic institutions, including labor unions and media organizations,” the ADC argued.
Furthermore, the party emphasized that this situation extends beyond internal conflicts within the PDP. “This is not simply a PDP issue; it jeopardizes the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy and creates a perilous backdrop for the 2027 general elections,” the statement warned. It framed the invasion as part of a troubling pattern intended to undermine opposition forces and destabilize the political landscape.
The ADC is calling for both national and international stakeholders to recognize the escalating situation and exert pressure on the government to uphold democratic values. “We urge the public and Nigeria’s international allies to address this dangerous reality and advocate for the protection of civil liberties,” they stated.
The party also demanded accountability from security forces allegedly involved in the assault. “We are committed to an independent investigation into the actions of the Nigerian Police and other agencies in this disgraceful incident,” the ADC said, stressing the need for President Tinubu to rein in his political affiliates to prevent further chaos.
Amid the turmoil, violence erupted at the PDP’s national headquarters in Abuja, where clashes broke out between opposing factions. Police responded by deploying teargas to disperse supporters, as notable party leaders attempted to navigate the escalating tensions. Governor Seyi Makinde condemned the disorder and emphasized the importance of internal stability within the party.
As the situation unfolded, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, was present at the site but reportedly remained inside his vehicle amid the unrest, choosing to avoid direct engagement in the fray. The existence of two opposing meetings scheduled at the same location heightened fears of further conflict between rival factions, underscoring the critical need for resolution within the party and safeguarding the broader democratic environment in Nigeria.