The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of “descending into violence and acting like a terrorist organisation” after suspected political thugs attacked its members during a gathering in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Saturday during an event hosted within a church premises, where Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos, officially declared his defection to the ADC. According to eyewitnesses, the programme was thrown into chaos when armed thugs stormed the venue, vandalising vehicles, carting away valuables, and leaving several attendees injured.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the invasion of a place of worship as “a desecration and a sacrilegious act” that underscored the desperation of a ruling party bent on silencing opposition voices.
“The invasion of a church premises by government-backed thugs is a profound act of sacrilege by a jittery ruling party desperate to silence opposition voices,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC linked the Alimosho attack to what it described as a growing pattern of political intimidation nationwide. The party cited recent threats in Edo, harassment in Kogi, the closure of a private radio station in Niger, disruption of meetings in Kaduna, and physical assaults on its convoys in Kebbi State as part of a “coordinated campaign of suppression.”
It further recalled a recent ruling by a Canadian court that reportedly labelled the APC a terrorist organisation, arguing that the Lagos violence only reinforced that international perception.
“If churches and other places of worship are no longer regarded as sacred by APC-sponsored goons, how does the ruling party expect Nigerians and the world to believe it is not a terrorist organisation? After all, attacking places of worship is the very definition of terrorism,” Abdullahi added.
The ADC urged the Nigeria Police Force to remain impartial and resist political manipulation by ensuring that perpetrators of the Lagos violence and similar incidents across the country are swiftly brought to justice.
“The police have a constitutional duty to protect all Nigerians and must not allow themselves to become an enforcement arm of the ruling party. Justice must be served swiftly and transparently. Nigerians and the international community are watching, and the credibility of our institutions is on trial,” the statement read.
The opposition party also accused the APC of resorting to thuggery due to a lack of tangible achievements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Resorting to intimidation and thuggery is a confession of failure. Instead of presenting Nigerians with a track record of good governance, the APC has chosen brute force and suppression. This is not democracy, it is dictatorship,” the party declared.
