The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of promoting political violence across Nigeria, describing its condemnation of attacks on opposition gatherings as hypocritical.
The ADC-PCC made the allegation in response to a statement by the APC Presidential Campaign Council condemning recent attacks on political activities in Edo, Cross River and Gombe states, as well as the disruption of a scheduled Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall meeting in Lagos.
In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC challenged the ruling party to take responsibility for the growing political tension and call its members to order.
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The council accused the APC and President Bola Tinubu's administration of creating an atmosphere of intimidation that threatens opposition parties and democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It alleged that APC members had disrupted opposition gatherings, attacked supporters and destroyed campaign materials in different parts of the country.
The ADC-PCC also accused some APC-controlled state governments of restricting opposition activities by denying them access to rally venues, demolishing party offices and imposing what it described as prohibitive fees for political events and campaign materials.
The council specifically linked the disruption of the NDC's scheduled town hall meeting in Lagos on Thursday to what it described as a pattern of intimidation and political sabotage.
It further questioned the APC's condemnation of political violence, recalling alleged attacks on ADC members, including the destruction of party billboards, disruption of rallies and physical assaults on supporters.
The council said it was compiling records of attacks allegedly suffered by its members and would submit reports to relevant international judicial and human rights institutions.
It also called on President Tinubu to heed the advice of elder statesman Professor Jerry Gana and ensure that political activities are conducted in an atmosphere of peace, tolerance and democratic freedom.
The ADC-PCC maintained that it remained committed to peaceful and issue-based campaigns despite what it described as attempts to intimidate the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The exchange followed the APC campaign council's condemnation of attacks on political gatherings, with its spokesperson, Dele Alake, urging security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible.
The APC had also called on political parties and their supporters to exercise restraint and focus their campaigns on policies rather than actions capable of triggering violence.
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