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Vows to Report Attack at ECOWAS Court of Human Rights
- Safiu Kehinde
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has labelled the All Progressives Congress (APC) a terrorist organisation over the attack on the 2023 Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and other leaders of the ADC.
NPO Reported that Obi and the other leaders had on Tuesday come under attack by harmed hoodlums and gunmen shortly after their arrival at the Edo state chapter’s chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
The hoodlums stormed the residence, opening several rounds of gunshots and vandalising the vehicles which conveyed Obi and other ADC leaders to the residence of the former Edo governor.
Pictures taken after the attack showed the bullet holes on Odigie-Oyegun’s gate as well as some of the ammunition recovered from the scene.
While the ADC had since accused the APC of orchestrating the attack, the party, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, further called out the ruling party over what it considered a troubling pattern of political intimidation against the opposition.
The party also accused Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo of making inflammatory claims and threats that have heightened tensions and could lead to a further breakdown of law and order.
It recalled Okpebholo’s statement where he warned Obi against visiting the state, stressing that he would not guarantee the safety of the former Anambra governor.
The ADC further mentioned the governor’s recent threat to demolish the party’s properties across the state, accusing the party of sponsoring cultism.
“This was not an isolated incident. It bears the unmistakable marks of a dangerous and escalating pattern of political intimidation and terror against our party across the country.
“The resort to gunfire against lawful political actors represents an act of terrorism against the opposition, which has no place in a constitutional democracy.
“We are particularly alarmed by the pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and threats that have preceded these events, including the outrageous claim by the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who had earlier issued a threat that he would not guarantee the safety of Mr. Peter Obi should he visit Edo State.
“The Governor has since gone ahead to make further ridiculous and irresponsible claims that the ADC is sponsoring cultism in Edo State and has threatened to start demolishing properties of the opposition in the State.” The ADC wrote.
The opposition party held that Nigeria is not a private estate and Edo state is not the personal property of any party or any governor.
It maintained that no elected official has the constitutional authority to threaten, harass, or endanger law-abiding political actors for exercising their democratic rights.
The ADC warned the APC and Okpebholo against perpetrating any further attack on its members and leaders while vowing to make official reports of Tuesday’s attack available to all diplomatic missions as well as the ECOWAS Court of Human Rights.
“Our members and supporters across Edo State and Nigeria have the constitutional rights to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and lawful self-defence.
“The Federal Government and the Edo State Government are free to continue on their present course.
“But let there be no misunderstanding: if any harm comes to our leaders, members, or supporters as a result of this escalating climate of official hostility, intimidation, or incitement, the responsibility for whatever consequences follow will rest squarely with those who choose the path of provocation over the path of peace.
“We are compiling all cases of acts of terrorism by the ruling APC against our party.
“We shall soon be making our reports available to all diplomatic missions as well as the ECOWAS Court of Human Rights.” The party stated.
The ADC held that it will not bow to any form of intimidation as it urged its members to remain vigilant and go about their lawful activities without fear.
“Let no one be left in doubt: regardless of the level of intimidation, ADC will not bow to terror and will take all lawful means to protect its members and facilities across the country.
“We urge all our members to remain vigilant and to go about their lawful activities without fear.” The statement added.