Edo Attack: We’ll drag APC to ECOWAS Court over ‘political terror’ — ADC

ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has threatened to take the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) before the ECOWAS Court of Justice over what it described as a gun attack and assassination attempt on its leaders in Edo State, warning that the development points to a troubling slide for Nigeria’s democracy.

The opposition party said the alleged attack targeted former Edo State governor John Oyegun, party leader Peter Obi and Olumide Akpata. It warned that it would pursue all lawful options, including international legal action, if what it called threats against its members continue.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated, “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, yesterday’s disturbing gun attack and assassination attempt in Edo State targeting Chief John Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State and Chairman of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee; Mr. Peter Obi, a national leader of our party; and Mr. Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate for Edo State who recently joined the ADC.

This was not an isolated incident. It bears the unmistakable marks of a dangerous and escalating pattern of political intimidation and terror against our party across the country. The resort to gunfire against lawful political actors represents an act of terrorism against the opposition, which has no place in a constitutional democracy.”

ADC also expressed concern over what it described as inflammatory rhetoric by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, saying such comments had worsened tensions in the state.

“We are particularly alarmed by the pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and threats that have preceded these events, including the outrageous claim by the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who had earlier issued a threat that he would not guarantee the safety of Mr. Peter Obi should he visit Edo State. The Governor has since gone ahead to make further ridiculous and irresponsible claim that the ADC is sponsoring cultism in Edo State, and threatened to start demolishing properties of the opposition in the State.

“Let it be said plainly: Nigeria is not a private estate. Edo State is not the personal property of any party or any governor. No elected official has the constitutional authority to threaten, harass, or endanger law-abiding political actors for exercising their democratic rights. Our members and supporters across Edo State and Nigeria have the constitutional right to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and right to lawful self-defence.

We are compiling all cases of acts of terrorism by the ruling APC against our party. We shall soon be making our reports available to all diplomatic missions as well as the ECOWAS Court of Human Rights,” Abdullahi said.

The party added that it would not bow to intimidation and urged its members nationwide to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding while carrying out their political activities.

Culled from vanguard