By Emiola Osifeso
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Kaduna State Police Command of failing in its duty to protect citizens after armed thugs violently disrupted the party’s inauguration in Kaduna over the weekend.
In a statement on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, criticised the police for attempting to “criminalise legitimate political activity” instead of assuring justice for those attacked.
ADC rejected the police’s claim that the event was an “unauthorised gathering,” stressing that the constitutional right to peaceful assembly cannot be overridden by any police command. The party described the police press release as a “troubling attempt to pre-judge individuals and paint the opposition as lawless.”
The statement further condemned threats to penalise hotels and event centres for hosting political meetings without police approval, calling it an intimidation tactic that undermines democracy.
“In a democracy, the right to assemble peacefully is guaranteed by the Constitution, not a state police command,” the party declared.
ADC demanded a transparent investigation into the incident, questioning why officers allegedly abandoned their duty when party leaders and members came under attack. It also rejected efforts to link the opposition to acts of violence.
“Democracy is not a crime. Selective policing is. We will not be intimidated into silence,” the statement added, urging Nigerians to resist growing acts of political violence and intimidation against opposition parties.
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