…describe attack as threat to democracy, call for police accountability
The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, and former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, have condemned the attack and burning of the party’s secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, describing it as a grave assault on democracy and political tolerance.
Residents and party members reportedly woke up on Tuesday to find the ADC secretariat completely razed, with office equipment, plastic chairs, canopies, and sound systems destroyed.
Hours later, suspected hoodlums were said to have regrouped and invaded the venue of the party’s planned affirmation ceremony, attacking members, vandalising vehicles and motorcycles, and disrupting the event.
Aregbesola, who arrived at the scene shortly after the attackers fled, expressed shock and disappointment over what he termed “a shameful display of intolerance and a dangerous signal for democracy.”
“It is regrettable that individuals who emerged through democratic processes can resort to violence and intimidation to suppress opposition voices. The attack on ADC members in Ekiti signals a descent into fascism,” the former Minister of Interior said.
He also faulted security agencies for failing to protect the party’s members and property, describing their inaction as a violation of the constitution and a threat to the country’s democratic values.
Similarly, Olusola-Eleka described the incident as “political terrorism,” lamenting the failure of the police to respond promptly despite early reports of the midnight attack.
“We are let down by the security agencies because more than two hours after we reported the incident, no officer came to secure the premises,” he said.
Ekiti ADC Chairman, Ilesanmi Omolayo, confirmed that several members sustained injuries during the attack and were receiving medical attention. He alleged that the assault was a deliberate attempt to intimidate the party over its growing popularity in the state.
Also condemning the incident, ADC governorship aspirant and former Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, Dare Bejide, described the attack as “barbaric and undemocratic,” calling those behind it “enemies of democracy.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident. He said the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, had ordered a full-scale investigation to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” Abutu stated.
