The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of promoting political violence across the country, insisting that the ruling party cannot condemn attacks on opposition groups while allegedly encouraging similar acts.
The council made the allegation in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, in response to a statement by the APC Presidential Campaign Council condemning attacks on opposition parties during their political gatherings.
The ADC-PCC described the APC’s position as hypocritical and an attempt to divert attention from its alleged involvement in the growing incidents of political violence. It challenged the ruling party to call its members to order and take responsibility for the situation.
According to the council, opposition parties have faced disruptions at political gatherings, destruction of campaign materials and physical attacks on supporters in several states, including Edo, Cross River, Gombe and Lagos. It also accused some APC governors of denying opposition parties access to rally venues, demolishing their offices and imposing restrictions and excessive fees on political activities.
The council specifically alleged that the disruption of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall meeting scheduled for Thursday in Lagos was part of what it described as the APC’s pattern of intimidation and political sabotage.
It questioned why the ruling party had only recently expressed concern about political violence, recalling alleged attacks on ADC members, the destruction of its billboards and disruptions of its rallies.
The ADC-PCC further accused the ruling party of resorting to intimidation because opposition parties had continued to raise issues such as hunger, insecurity, unemployment and corruption, which it said were major concerns under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Calling on Tinubu to intervene, the council urged the President to heed the advice of elder statesman Professor Jerry Gana and ensure that political activities across the country are conducted in an atmosphere of peace, tolerance and democratic freedom.
It also disclosed that it was compiling records of attacks allegedly suffered by its members and would submit reports to relevant international judicial and human rights institutions.
Despite its allegations, the ADC-PCC said it remained committed to peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that intimidation would not stop it from mobilising support.
The council maintained that Nigerians should be allowed to freely participate in political activities and make their choices at the polls without fear of violence.
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