The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned attacks on its members and supporters in Kaduna State, warning that the introduction of thuggery into the 2027 political process could escalate violence and undermine peaceful democratic participation.
The condemnation followed an incident in which suspected political thugs and security operatives allegedly attacked ADC members and supporters during a walk organised to flag off the party’s 2027 governorship campaign for its candidate, Isa Ashiru.
The party described the incident as an unacceptable escalation, stressing that political activities ahead of the 2027 elections are only beginning and warning that the use of violence as a political tool could have dangerous consequences.
In a statement signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said its commitment to peaceful democratic participation should not be mistaken for weakness, insisting that no political party has a monopoly on non-state-sanctioned violence.
“Let nobody mistake our commitment to peaceful democratic participation for weakness. No political party has a monopoly on non-state sanctioned violence. Once violence becomes an accepted instrument of political competition, nobody can predict where it ends,” Abdullahi said.
The party therefore called on security agencies to immediately investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice, including individuals who may have sponsored or organised the attack.
“This is why the security agencies must act now. Those responsible for the attack, as well as anyone who sponsored or organised it, must be identified, arrested and prosecuted,” he added.
The ADC also expressed solidarity with Ashiru and other party members affected by the incident, while calling on the Kaduna State Government to take steps to guarantee the safety of opposition parties and their members as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party maintained that Kaduna State belongs to all its residents and should not be treated as the exclusive preserve of any political party, warning that attempts to intimidate its members would not force it out of the political contest.
“Kaduna belongs to its people, not to any party. If anyone believes intimidation will frighten the ADC off the political field, they have badly miscalculated.
“We will not be intimidated. We will organise, we will campaign, and we will compete in every part of Kaduna State. The 2027 elections must be decided by ideas competing at the ballot box, not by thugs and bruises,” Abdullahi added.