Attack on PDP headquarters assault on democracy, says ADC

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has decried what it described as violent attack on the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Secretariat in Abuja by armed men under the command of senior officials of the ruling party.

The ADC, in a statement by its interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of allegedly deploying violence in a bid to take over another political country.

It noted that such actions, while constituting a direct threat to multiparty democracy, advances the ruling party’s desire to  allegedly entrench a one-party rule in the country.

The statement read: “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemns the brazen invasion and violent takeover of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Secretariat in Abuja yesterday, November 14, by agents of the APC-led  Federal Government.

“The incident, without doubt, is a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy, which must be condemned by everyone, regardless of party affiliation.

“Based on its various actions and machinations since coming to power, this government’s anti-democratic credentials are no longer in doubt. However, this latest assault represents a new and dangerous low, even by the already-worrying standards of the Bola Tinubu administration.

“With this action, the government is sending a chilling message that it would do anything and employ any means, including acts of terror, to advance partisan political interests.

“If the government could send armed agents to enforce factional control of an opposition headquarters, what stops it from doing the same to labour unions, press organisations, student movements or peaceful protest groups?

“Therefore, let no one make the mistake of thinking that this is a PDP matter. This attack affects the future of democracy in Nigeria and sets a dangerous background for the 2027 general elections.

“The ADC, therefore, views this invasion as another episode, albeit a more sinister one, in the ruling party’s insidious efforts to destabilise opposition parties and undermine Nigeria’s future as a multiparty democracy. 

“We, therefore, call on all Nigerians and Nigeria’s international partners to take note of this dangerous situation and to engage the Nigerian government on the need to uphold democratic norms, respect civil liberties and prevent further descent into authoritarian behaviour.”