Hoodlums burn ADC secretariat, attack party members in Ekiti

By Boye Oyeyemi –

There was tension in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Tuesday, after suspected thugs set ablaze the secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), disrupting the inauguration of the party’s newly affirmed executives.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours at the Basiri area of the city, destroyed valuables including canopies, chairs, and office equipment reportedly rented for the day’s event.

Several hours later, the hoodlums regrouped and invaded the venue of the planned inauguration, shooting sporadically and forcing party members, journalists, and passersby to flee.

In the chaos that followed, vehicles and motorcycles belonging to journalists were vandalised, while items set up for the programme were destroyed.

Despite the disruption, ADC National Secretary, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, later arrived under tight security to proceed with the brief inauguration.

Speaking with journalists, Aregbesola condemned the violence, describing it as a “shameful display of intolerance and a dangerous threat to democracy.”

“It is difficult to adequately express the disappointment. Don’t forget, in 2009, the incumbent administration in Ekiti then did undemocratic actions, and we felt that victims of such irresponsible and anti-democratic actions would now be in office to replicate such wickedness in the state,” he said.

Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, also decried the incident, calling it “political terrorism” and lamenting that the police failed to respond promptly despite early reports of the attack.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident, saying the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, had ordered a full investigation to apprehend those responsible.