A former Minister of Interior and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, and former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, have strongly condemned the attack on the ADC secretariat and its members in Ado-Ekiti.
Residents and party members were shocked on Tuesday morning to find the ADC office vandalized and partially razed, with office equipment, chairs, canopies, and a sound system destroyed. Shortly after, a group of hoodlums returned to the scene, where preparations were underway for a scheduled affirmation ceremony. They disrupted the event, attacked supporters, and damaged vehicles, motorcycles, and event materials.
Aregbesola, who arrived shortly after the attackers left, described the incident as “a shameful act of intolerance and a threat to democracy.”
“It is regrettable that those who benefitted from democracy now resort to violence to silence opposition,” he told journalists. “Democracy thrives on freedom of association and participation without fear. This attack signals a descent into fascism.”
He also criticized security agencies for failing in their duty to protect lives and property.
Prof. Olusola-Eleka echoed the condemnation, calling the attack “political terrorism.”
“This is against everything democracy stands for. Despite notifying the police about the midnight assault, there was no protection hours later,” he lamented.
ADC State Chairman Ilesanmi Omolayo confirmed the incident had been reported to the police. He expressed surprise at the unprovoked attack and noted that some members sustained injuries and required medical attention.
“We believe this was meant to intimidate us because of our rising popularity. Our campaign hasn’t even begun,” he said.
ADC governorship aspirant and former High Commissioner to Canada, Dare Bejide, described the attackers as “enemies of democracy.”
“Politics should be about free choice, not coercion,” he added.
Ekiti State Police Command spokesperson, SP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident. He stated that Commissioner of Police Joseph Eribo had ordered a full investigation to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.