The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized the Kaduna State Police Command for its handling of violent attacks that disrupted the party’s political gathering in Kaduna State over the weekend.
According to a statement by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the Police response to the incident fell short of professional standards and appeared biased against the opposition.
The ADC maintained that its members and leaders were attacked by armed thugs during the inauguration event, but instead of assuring the public of a fair investigation and justice, the Police rushed to criminalize the party’s activities.
“We expected reassurance that justice would be done and that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable. Instead, what we read was a troubling attempt to criminalize legitimate political activity and cast the opposition as lawless,” the party said.
Police Overreach and Intimidation Alleged
The party rejected the Police’s claim that the event was “unauthorized,” stressing that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly. The ADC argued that obtaining approval from the Police is not a license for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights.
It further criticized the Police threat to hold hotels and event centers liable for hosting political meetings without prior approval, describing the move as “ludicrous intimidation” of private businesses and political actors.
The party said such practices amount to a dangerous precedent where security agencies decide which political meetings may or may not hold, effectively granting them veto powers over democracy.
ADC Demands Transparency and Justice
The ADC distanced itself from any form of violence and emphasized its commitment to peaceful and issue-based politics. It demanded that the Kaduna State Police Command revisit its statement, conduct a transparent investigation, and explain why officers allegedly failed to protect party members during the attack.
“Democracy is not a crime. Selective policing is. Still, we in the ADC will not be intimidated into silence,” the statement read.
The party further urged Nigerians to reject growing acts of violence and intimidation targeted at opposition parties, warning that democracy cannot thrive where freedom of assembly is undermined.
