Violence mars opposition transition committee inauguration in Kaduna

Kaduna State witnessed a chaotic scene on Saturday as suspected political thugs stormed the inauguration of a transition committee formed by opposition parties, disrupting proceedings with violent attacks on participants and property.

The event, held in Kaduna city, was intended to bring together members of an All Progressives Congress (APC) faction opposed to the state leadership, alongside leaders and representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Witnesses said the attackers, armed with cutlasses, clubs, and stones, descended on the gathering, leaving several people injured and multiple vehicles damaged. Despite the disruption, the inauguration went ahead under tense conditions.

Several attendees accused the police of complicity, alleging that officers deployed to the venue failed to act as the violence unfolded.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, who was present at the event, strongly condemned the attack, warning that Kaduna politics was descending into lawlessness.

“This is a dangerous descent into lawlessness,” el-Rufai said, accusing senior police officers, including an assistant commissioner, of standing by while the violence occurred.

“If the authorities don’t end the introduction of thuggery into Kaduna politics, God help us. Nobody has a monopoly on violence or thugs. We will take decisive steps to ensure this does not repeat itself.”

He further vowed to escalate the matter to the Police Service Commission (PSC), accusing the police of breaching their constitutional duty to protect lives and property.

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In his reaction, Jafaru Sani, National Vice-Chairman (North-West) of the ADC, described the incident as “sad and unfortunate,” insisting that opposition parties would not be intimidated into abandoning their political activities.

“Kaduna’s history of political violence is being replayed, but we will never be intimidated or forced to retreat. We will continue to pursue our political activities with all the energy and commitment we have,” Sani said.

However, Yahaya Baba-Pate, Secretary of the APC in Kaduna State, denied any involvement of the ruling party in the violence.

“The ADC and other opposition groups are free to carry out their activities without harassment,” Baba-Pate stated.

The violent incident has heightened tensions in Kaduna’s already volatile political climate, raising concerns about the safety of opposition activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.