ADC Accuses APC of ‘Terror Tactics’ After Attack on Members at Lagos Church

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of behaving like a “terrorist organisation” following a violent attack on its members at a church premises in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State last week.

The incident occurred during a gathering attended by ADC leaders, including Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who officially declared his membership of the party.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged that political thugs, believed to be sponsored by the APC, invaded the church venue, attacked members, destroyed vehicles, and carted away property.

“The invasion of a church premises by government-backed political thugs is a profound act of desecration by a jittery ruling party that will stop at nothing to silence opposition voices,” Abdullahi said.

The ADC described the attack as a continuation of what it called a “disturbing pattern” of intimidation across the country, citing previous incidents in Edo, Kogi, Niger, Kaduna, and Kebbi states.

“With this attack on a church, no one can predict how far the APC under President Tinubu is willing to go in its desperate quest to hold on to power at all costs,” the statement read.

The party also referenced a recent Canadian court ruling labelling the APC as a terrorist organisation, arguing that the ruling party could only salvage its reputation by ending violence against the opposition.

“If churches and other places of worship are no longer regarded as sacred by APC goons, how then does the party intend to prove to the world that it is not indeed a terrorist organisation? After all, attacking places of worship is what terrorists do,” Abdullahi added.

The ADC called on the Nigeria Police Force to remain loyal to the constitution rather than the ruling party, demanding the arrest and prosecution of those behind the Lagos violence and other attacks on its members nationwide.

“The police have a duty to ensure justice is served swiftly and transparently. Nigerians are watching, and the credibility of our institutions is on trial before the whole world,” the party said.

Accusing the APC of using intimidation in place of performance, the ADC maintained: “The APC’s resort to violence is a confession of failure. Rather than present a record of achievements, it seeks to bulldoze its way into another election season by silencing the opposition. This is the mark of dictatorship.”

Despite the attacks, the ADC vowed to continue engaging Nigerians peacefully while resisting attempts to suppress its activities.

“We will remain undeterred. We are committed to engaging Nigerians peacefully, constructively, and courageously. But we will not fold our arms while our leaders are attacked and our gatherings turned into battlegrounds. This must stop, and it must stop now,” the party declared.