…says democracy under siege
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned what it describes as a “disturbing and dangerous assault on democracy” following the violent attack on the National Secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja by “armed men under the Command of senior officials of the ruling party, warning that the country’s democracy is under siege.”
Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, in a statement, criticised Bola Tinubu-led Administration for employing violence in its bid to take control of another political party.
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The party warned that such actions were a direct threat to multiparty democracy and advance the ruling party’s desire to entrench a one-party rule in Nigeria.
The party, said the incident, “without doubt, is a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy, which must be condemned by everyone, regardless of party affiliation.”
The party noted that the President Bola Tinubu’s Administration had demonstrated several anti democratic actions
“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’s 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 party said.
The ADC, therefore, viewed 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.
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The party called on all Nigerians and Nigeria’s international partners to take note of this dangerous situation and to engage the Nigeria’s Government on the need to uphold democratic norms, respect civil liberties, and prevent further descent into authoritarian behaviour.
“As a party, we also demand an independent investigation into the role of the Nigerian Police and other security forces in this disgraceful action. We also call on President Bola Tinubu to rein in his political operatives before they send the country into chaos”, the party added.
