The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, ADC-PCC, has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of encouraging political violence across the country, describing the ruling party as the major force behind attacks on opposition parties.

The council made the allegation in response to a statement by the APC Presidential Campaign Council condemning attacks on opposition gatherings, describing the APC's position as hypocritical and an attempt to divert public attention from its alleged role in political violence.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC challenged the ruling party to control its members and take responsibility for the growing cases of political attacks across Nigeria.

It alleged that the APC had created an atmosphere of violence since taking power, accusing its supporters of disrupting opposition events, attacking party members and destroying campaign materials.

"The APC cannot pretend to be a victim of the very violence it has nurtured, funded and unleashed on Nigerians since it came to power," the statement said.

The council cited incidents in Edo, Cross River, Gombe and Lagos, alleging that APC supporters had repeatedly attacked opposition gatherings before the ruling party publicly condemned political violence.

It also accused some APC governors of using government power to frustrate opposition activities in their states.

According to the ADC-PCC, opposition parties have been denied access to venues for rallies, while some of their offices have allegedly been demolished. It further claimed that party members had suffered physical attacks and destruction of their vehicles.

The council also accused state governments of placing restrictions on opposition campaigns by limiting the display of posters, installation of billboards and organisation of public political events through what it described as excessive and unrealistic charges.

It specifically blamed the APC for the disruption of a town hall meeting scheduled for Thursday by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Lagos.

"The disruption of Thursday's scheduled town hall meeting of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Lagos bears the unmistakable fingerprints of the APC," it stated.

The council added that the alleged attacks followed a familiar pattern of intimidation and political interference.

The ADC-PCC maintained that opposition parties were focused on discussing Nigeria's major challenges, including hunger, insecurity, unemployment and corruption, as well as what it described as the failure of governance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It accused the APC of lacking convincing answers to Nigerians' concerns and resorting to violence instead of engaging in meaningful political competition.

The council also questioned why the ruling party had suddenly become concerned about attacks on opposition groups, recalling alleged incidents involving the destruction of ADC billboards, disruption of rallies and assaults on its supporters.

"Where was the APC's condemnation when our billboards were destroyed, our rallies disrupted and our members brutalised?" the statement asked.

It urged President Tinubu to follow the advice of elder statesman Professor Jerry Gana by providing the leadership needed to protect democratic freedoms and ensure peaceful political activities across the country.

The ADC-PCC further disclosed that it was documenting reported attacks against its members and would forward relevant reports to international judicial and human rights organisations at the appropriate time.

It dismissed the APC's condemnation of political violence as insincere, urging Nigerians not to be misled by what it called an attempt by the ruling party to avoid responsibility.

Despite the allegations, the council reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful campaigns based on issues, insisting that intimidation would not stop it from seeking public support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

"The ADC remains committed to a peaceful, issue-based campaign. We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced.

"No amount of APC-sponsored violence will stop Nigerians from voting for competence, integrity and a new beginning in 2027."

ADC accuses APC of fuelling political violence ahead of 2027 elections