The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of behaving like a terrorist group after its members were attacked at a church in Alimosho, Lagos.
The incident happened when Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour officially joined the ADC. Reports say political thugs, believed to be linked to the APC, disrupted the event. Cars were damaged, property was taken, and several people were hurt.
The ADC called the attack a violation of a sacred place and described it as “a new low” in the APC’s ongoing attacks on opposition parties.
“The attack on a church by thugs backed by the government is a serious act of disrespect by a nervous ruling party trying to silence opposition,” said Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary.
The party said this church attack is part of a wider pattern of threats and harassment, including intimidation in Edo, attacks in Kogi, closure of a private radio station in Niger, assaults in Kaduna, and attacks on convoys in Kebbi.
“With this latest attack, it is hard to predict how far the APC under President Tinubu will go to hold on to power,” the statement added.
The ADC also mentioned that a Canadian court had previously described the APC as a terrorist group. Attacking places of worship, the party said, reinforces that image.
“If churches and other sacred places are no longer safe, how can the APC prove it is not acting like a terrorist group? Attacking places of worship is what terrorists do,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC called on the Nigeria Police Force to avoid being used as a political tool. They urged authorities to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the Lagos church attack and other attacks on their members across the country.
“The police must act quickly and fairly. Nigerians are watching, and the credibility of our institutions is at stake,” the party said. They added that the APC’s use of intimidation shows it has failed to deliver on its promises.
“Instead of showing achievements, the APC wants to force its way into the next election by attacking the opposition. This is the sign of dictatorship,” the statement said.
Despite these attacks, the ADC said it will continue to work peacefully and engage Nigerians, while standing against violence.
“We will stay strong. We are committed to peaceful engagement, but we will not remain silent while our leaders are attacked and our meetings disrupted. This must stop now,” the party said.
