Political violence reared its ugly head in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Tuesday, following a coordinated attack on the secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Suspected thugs first set the party’s secretariat ablaze in the early hours of the day.
The attack completely razed the secretariat in the Basiri Area, destroying essential items like plastic chairs, canopies, a sound system, and office equipment.
It was gathered that the destroyed chairs and canopies had been rented for the inauguration of new party executives at the ward, local government, and state levels, which was scheduled for later that day.
Several hours after the initial fire, the attackers regrouped in large numbers and stormed the venue of the planned affirmation ceremony.
The attackers disrupted preparations and assaulted party leaders and supporters.
Descending on the venue in a “commando-like style,” they fired shots sporadically into the air, causing ADC members, journalists, and passers-by to scamper for safety.
In the ensuing chaos, several vehicles and a motorcycle belonging to a journalist were heavily vandalized, and the remaining canopies and chairs were destroyed beyond repair.
Minutes after the hoodlums fled, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, the ADC National Secretary, arrived amid tight security and proceeded with the inauguration of the newly affirmed executives.
Speaking with journalists afterward, the former Minister strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “shameful display of intolerance and a dangerous threat to democracy.”
Aregbesola lamented that those who emerged through a democratic process would resort to violence to suppress opposition, noting that the attack signaled a “descent into fascism” that violates the fundamental democratic principle of freedom of association.
He also berated the security agencies for failing to protect the ADC secretariat and its members, accusing them of “dereliction of duty.”
A former Ekiti Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, echoed the condemnation, describing the incident as an act of “political terrorism.”
He called the attack a “dangerous assault on democratic values” and expressed sadness that such violence was creeping into Ekiti politics, a state once known for peace.
Olusola-Eleka specifically criticized the police for a “disappointing response,” stating, “We are let down by the security agencies because more than two hours after we made reports on the midnight attack on our secretariat, we observed that they were not there to protect the property and the people.”
Contacted, Ekiti Police command spokesman, SP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident.
He said the command is aware of the situation and that Police Commissioner, CP Joseph Eribo, has directed a full-scale investigation to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
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