The African Democratic Congress (ADC) appears to be its own worst enemy. Without any external interference, the party seems determined to undermine itself before it even finds stable footing in the political landscape.
Rather than offering constructive opposition, the ADC and its leadership often resort to dramatic rhetoric and dark humor, seemingly in a bid to attract sympathy, distract the public, and stir controversy.
In its February 25, 2026 press statement, the ADC accused the APC of being responsible for the shooting incident involving its members in Edo State. Such an allegation, made before any investigation by law enforcement authorities, is premature and irresponsible. By rushing to judgment without evidence, the party presents itself as complainant, investigator, prosecutor, and judge all at once—disregarding due process and the rule of law.
This raises an important question: how can a party that struggles to address a single incident with restraint, maturity, and respect for constitutional procedures be trusted with the far more complex task of managing Nigeria’s security challenges?
Equally troubling is the ADC’s reference to alleged “acts of terrorism” by the ruling APC. This characterization is reckless and unfounded. It reflects a troubling willingness to inflame tensions and exploit public sentiment, while disregarding the serious and ongoing national efforts to combat terrorism and the sacrifices made by security personnel across the country.
Violence in any form has no place in Nigeria’s political space and must be unequivocally condemned. Our great party strongly denounces the reported shooting in Edo State and calls on the police and other relevant agencies to conduct a swift, thorough, and impartial investigation to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Any credible investigation should examine all possible angles, including internal disputes within the ADC. Reports of factional disagreements and leadership struggles within the party have been widely circulated and should not be overlooked. It is unacceptable for the ADC to attempt to shift blame without evidence.
For the avoidance of doubt, the APC has no involvement whatsoever in the unfortunate incident. Our focus remains on consolidating our recent electoral successes in the Federal Capital Territory municipal elections, as well as constituency elections in Rivers and Kano states. We have neither the time nor the interest to be distracted by the internal issues of a party grappling with repeated electoral setbacks.
We remain deeply appreciative of Nigerians for their continued and growing support. In particular, we thank voters in the FCT, Kano, and Rivers states for their resounding vote of confidence in our party and in the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR.
Our party and Mr. President remain committed to building a stronger, more secure, and more prosperous Nigeria for the benefit of all citizens.
