The African Democratic Congress has condemned the burning of its secretariat in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, describing the attack as a direct assault on Nigerian democracy and an attempt to suppress legitimate political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADC secretariat in Ubima was razed by suspected thugs on Thursday night, hours before the planned visit of former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was travelling to his hometown to formally register with the party. The hoodlums attacked the community with heavy gunfire, shooting sporadically before setting the secretariat ablaze. On Friday morning, they returned and mounted a roadblock on the Omuawa-Ubima Road, halting buses bearing ADC banners from entering the town.
Despite the intimidation, Amaechi completed his official registration with the ADC in Ubima and subsequently called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible, while praising the Commissioner of Police and Director of the DSS for their swift intervention in restoring calm.
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In a statement by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged the attack was carried out by thugs loyal to the ruling party, saying it was part of a disturbing pattern of intimidation and violence against the party and its members, noting that ADC members had also been shot at during a political gathering just days earlier.
The party vowed to take all lawful steps to protect its members and facilities, and urged security agencies to investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice, warning that its commitment to peaceful engagement should not be mistaken for weakness.
The Ubima attack follows similar incidents against ADC offices in other states, including an attack on the party’s Edo State secretariat. Some residents alleged that the attackers were loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, a long-time political rival of Amaechi, though this could not be independently verified. The Rivers State Police Command had not issued an official response at the time of publication.