2026: ADC, APC clash over allegations of intimidation, violence in Ekiti

The African Democratic Congress in Ekiti State has berated the governing All Progressives Congress in the state over alleged politically motivated violence and attacks on the opposition party members in a bid to silence them ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

ADC State Chairman, Ilesanmi Omolayo, in a statement in Ado Ekiti, on Sunday, accused the APC of desperation, saying that the ruling party was pushing the state towards chaos ahead of the election.

But the APC State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, countered ADC’s allegations as “noise of attention-seeking starters who are green to Ekiti politics” and accused the opposition party of importing insecurity into the state and attempting to create an atmosphere of artificial crisis.

Dipe said, “APC is a peaceful party, peaceful association, and we are not desperate. We are on the ground, and we are formidable. ADC is unknown to Ekiti, so how can they be complaining of being intimidated?

“This is a dangerous path that must be stopped immediately. We call on security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission, civil society groups, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to act swiftly before the situation degenerates. ”

Omolayo, who called on residents to reject the culture of violence and embrace peace, unity, and progress, said, “Ekiti people must see clearly what is happening. APC has no ideology beyond violence and selfish ambition. Our state deserves a future founded on stability, vision and hope, not fear and bloodshed. ”

He said that ADC remained the credible alternative, stressing the party’s commitment to “people-oriented ideology anchored on peace, inclusiveness and development.”

But the spokesperson of the ruling party, Dipe, who said that Governor Oyebanji had been doing good job in the area of security so much that Ekiti was rated as the most secured state in Nigeria, said, “So anybody coming in, out of desperation, to import insecurity into Ekiti or create an atmosphere of artificial crisis in Ekiti should discourage himself or herself from doing so.

“This is because the security operatives are on hand, and they are ready to nab such people and take appropriate legal action against them.

“There is no sparing anybody when it comes to creating an atmosphere of crisis or creating war where there is peace. Nobody will be spared.

“Nobody is disturbing them from parading themselves as starters, but to say that APC is threatening them or is creating a crisis, they are only trying to create artificial problems for themselves and crying wolf where there is none. If there is anybody who has attacked them, they should look out for those people and pick them up.

More so, since they don’t know how political parties operate, if you want to have any gathering or grouping, inform the police so that they can provide security for you.

” By so doing, there won’t be a need for you people to start attacking yourselves, there won’t be a need for you to be shouting that you are being threatened or you have been attacked,” Dipe advised ADC.