The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of “acting like a terrorist organisation” after suspected thugs invaded a church premises in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos state.
The incident occurred last week during a gathering attended by party leaders, including former Labour Party governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who officially declared his membership of the ADC.
In a statement on Sunday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that political thugs sponsored by the ruling APC stormed the church venue, leaving several people injured, destroying vehicles, and seizing personal property.
“The invasion of a church premises by government-backed political thugs is a profound act of desecration by a jittery ruling party who would stop at nothing to silence opposition voices in the country,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC claimed that the Lagos attack was part of a broader campaign of intimidation against its members, pointing to threats in Edo, harassment in Kogi, the shutdown of a radio station in Niger, attacks in Kaduna, and assaults on party convoys in Kebbi.
The party further referenced a Canadian court ruling that allegedly designated the APC as a terrorist organisation, saying the ruling party’s conduct aligns with that judgment.
“If churches and other places of worship are no longer regarded as inviolable by the APC goons, how then does the party intend to prove to the world that it is not indeed a terrorist organisation? After all, attacking places of worship is what terrorists do,” Abdullahi added.
The ADC urged the Nigeria Police Force to remain loyal to the constitution and bring perpetrators of political violence to justice.
“The police have a duty to ensure that justice is served swiftly and transparently to the perpetrators of the attack in Lagos, Kaduna, Kebbi, and all other states where ADC leaders have been threatened and assaulted. Nigerians are watching, and the credibility of our institutions is on trial before the whole world,” Abdullahi said.
The opposition party maintained that APC’s alleged reliance on violence is proof of governance failure.
“Rather than present a track record of achievements to the Nigerian people, the APC wants to bulldoze its way into another election season by eliminating opposition. This is the mark of dictatorship,” it stated.
While reaffirming its commitment to peaceful engagement, the ADC warned that it would not remain passive in the face of repeated attacks.
“We will remain undeterred. We are committed to engaging Nigerians peacefully, constructively, and courageously. But we will not fold our arms while our leaders are attacked and our gatherings are turned into battlegrounds. This must stop. And it must stop now,” the party stressed.
