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•Says ruling party proving to be terror organisation
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has berated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over Tuesday’s attack on leaders of the party in Edo State.
The ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, yesterday, said it was compiling all acts of terrorism against its members and would report the same to diplomatic missions and the ECOWAS Court of Human Rights.
The party, while noting that the attack on its members in Edo State reflects a troubling pattern of political intimidation against the opposition, accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of allegedly making inflammatory claims and threats, which has heightened tension in the state.
Gunmen reportedly attacked the Edo State secretariat of the ADC in Benin City on Tuesday, and later trailed leaders of the party, including the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, former Edo State Governor, John Odigie-Oyegun and former LP governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence, where they shot at their vehicles.
The party said the attack was not an isolated incident, but an escalating pattern of political intimidation and terror against it, nationwide.
“The ADC condemns yesterday’s gun attack and assassination attempt in Edo State, targeting Chief John Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State and Chairman of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee; Mr. Peter Obi, a national leader of our party and Mr. Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate for Edo State, who recently joined the ADC.
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“This was not an isolated incident. It bears the unmistakable marks of a dangerous and escalating pattern of political intimidation and terror against our party across the country. The resort to gunfire against lawful political actors represents an act of terrorism against the opposition, which has no place in a constitutional democracy.
“We are particularly alarmed by the pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and threats that have preceded these events, including the outrageous claim by the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who had earlier issued a threat that he would not guarantee the safety of Mr Obi should he visit Edo State. “The Governor has since gone ahead to make further ridiculous and irresponsible claims that the ADC was sponsoring cultism in Edo State, and threatened to start demolishing properties of the opposition in the state,” the party noted.
The ADC added that Nigeria is neither a private estate, nor Edo State’s personal property, stating that no elected official has the constitutional power to threaten, harass or endanger law abiding political actors, who are exercising their democratic rights.
“Our members and supporters across Edo State and Nigeria have the constitutional right to freedom of speech, assembly and right to lawful self-defence.
“The Federal Government and the Edo State Government are free to continue on their present course. But, let there be no misunderstanding. If any harm comes to our leaders, members or supporters as a result of this escalating climate of official hostility, intimidation or incitement, the responsibility for whatever consequences that follow will rest squarely with those who chose the path of provocation over the path of peace.
“We are compiling all cases of acts of terrorism by the APC against our party. We shall soon be making our reports available to all diplomatic missions, as well as the ECOWAS Court of Human Rights.
“Let no one be left in doubt. Regardless of the level of intimidation, the ADC will not bow to terror and will take all lawful means to protect its members and facilities across the country. We urge all our members to remain vigilant and go about their lawful activities without fear,” the ADC stated.
