ADC Slams APC As Terrorist Group After Political Thugs Storm Church And Assault Opposition Gathering In Lagos

 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned an attack on its members at a church in Alimosho, Lagos, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of operating like a terrorist organisation. The incident, which disrupted an official declaration ceremony for former Labour Party governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour as a new member of the ADC, sparked outrage within opposition ranks and ignited fresh debate about the state of democracy in Nigeria.

Eyewitnesses reported that the atmosphere inside the church, once charged with political excitement, descended into chaos when armed thugs stormed the premises. Vehicles parked within the compound were vandalised, personal belongings of attendees were looted, and several individuals sustained injuries during the assault. The ADC described the incident as not only politically motivated but also an outright desecration of a place considered sacred by the Christian faithful.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it a “new low” in Nigeria’s political climate. He stressed that the ruling party had now crossed a dangerous line by allowing its loyalists to desecrate a house of worship. “The invasion of a church premises by government-backed political thugs is a profound act of desecration by a jittery ruling party that would stop at nothing to silence opposition voices,” Abdullahi stated.

The ADC’s accusations are not limited to Lagos alone. The party insisted that the attack fits a broader nationwide pattern of harassment and intimidation. According to Abdullahi, members and leaders of the ADC have recently faced threats in Edo, harassment in Kogi, a politically motivated shutdown of a private radio station in Niger State, disruption of meetings in Kaduna, and violent ambushes of convoys in Kebbi. These incidents, he argued, reveal a consistent attempt by the APC to muzzle dissent and crush the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

One of the more damning points raised by the ADC was a reminder that a Canadian court had previously listed the APC as a terrorist organisation in a case concerning asylum applications by Nigerians. The party argued that attacks on places of worship only reinforced that classification. Abdullahi asked pointedly, “If churches and other places of worship are no longer regarded as sacred, how then does the APC prove to the world it is not indeed a terrorist organisation? Attacking places of worship is what terrorists do.”

The ADC urged the Nigeria Police Force to rise above partisan manipulation and act decisively against political violence. According to the party, security agencies risk losing credibility if they continue to serve as tools for the ruling government rather than impartial defenders of peace and justice. “The police must ensure justice is served swiftly and transparently. Nigerians are watching, and the credibility of our institutions is on trial,” the statement read.

For the ADC, the recent violence in Lagos is a symptom of the APC’s failure to present Nigerians with tangible achievements. Rather than rely on governance records, Abdullahi said, the ruling party has resorted to brute force and intimidation to retain control. He described the pattern as dictatorial, stressing that attempts to bulldoze the opposition would only deepen national disillusionment.

Despite the violence and growing concerns about political thuggery, the ADC vowed not to abandon its commitment to peaceful engagement with Nigerians. The party declared it would continue mobilising across the country while defending itself from further assaults. “We will remain undeterred. We are committed to engaging Nigerians peacefully and constructively. But we will not fold our arms while our leaders are attacked and our gatherings are turned into battlegrounds. This must stop now,” Abdullahi said.

Political observers have warned that the attack in Alimosho could heighten religious and political tensions in Lagos, a state already known for its volatile political atmosphere. The desecration of a church, they argue, carries symbolic weight that could deepen divisions and spark resentment among communities that expect places of worship to remain neutral sanctuaries.

The event has also thrown a spotlight on Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s political trajectory. Once the Labour Party’s governorship flagbearer in Lagos, his switch to the ADC was seen as an attempt to rejuvenate his political career and expand the opposition’s front. The violent interruption of his formal declaration now casts a shadow over that ambition, raising questions about how opposition figures can safely campaign in a country where political violence appears increasingly normalised.

Many Nigerians took to social media to voice outrage at the attack, with some users warning that the sanctity of religious spaces must never be compromised by political rivalries. Calls have mounted for an independent investigation into the incident and for those responsible to face the full weight of the law.

The unfolding developments present a test for both state and federal authorities. If perpetrators go unpunished, analysts say it will further entrench the perception that the ruling party condones violence and is willing to trample democratic norms to stay in power. For opposition parties like the ADC, the battle ahead may not only be about winning elections but also about defending the survival of Nigeria’s fragile democratic system.