The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of “acting like a terrorist organisation” following an attack on its members at a church in Alimosho, Lagos.
The event, which saw Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour formally declare his membership of the opposition party, was reportedly disrupted by political thugs believed to be sponsored by the APC. Vehicles were destroyed, property seized, and several people injured.
The ADC described the incident as a desecration of a place of worship and “a new low” in what it called the APC’s ongoing campaign of violence against opposition parties.
“The invasion of a church premises by government-backed political thugs is a profound act of desecration by a jittery ruling party that would stop at nothing to silence opposition voices,” the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said.
According to the ADC, the Lagos attack fits into a broader pattern of intimidation, citing threats to its leaders in Edo, harassment in Kogi, the shutdown of a private radio station in Niger, attacks on meetings in Kaduna, and assaults on convoys in Kebbi.
“With this attack on a church, no one can predict how far the APC under President Tinubu is willing to go in its desperate quest to hold on to power,” the statement read.
The party recalled that a Canadian court had previously labelled the APC a terrorist organisation, warning that attacks on places of worship further strengthened that perception.
“If churches and other places of worship are no longer regarded as sacred, how then does the APC prove to the world it is not indeed a terrorist organisation? Attacking places of worship is what terrorists do,” Abdullahi added.
The ADC urged the Nigeria Police Force to resist being used as a political tool, calling for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the Lagos violence and other attacks on its members nationwide.
“Rather than present a track record of achievements, the APC wants to bulldoze its way into another election season by eliminating opposition. This is the mark of dictatorship,” it stated.
Despite the attacks, the ADC vowed to remain committed to peaceful engagement with Nigerians while refusing to stay silent.
“We will remain undeterred. We are committed to engaging Nigerians peacefully and constructively. But we will not fold our arms while our leaders are attacked and our gatherings are turned into battlegrounds. This must stop now,” the party declared.
