The All Progressives Congress (APC) has shut down operations at its national secretariat in Abuja following the tragic killing of its Director of Administration, Hon. AbdulRauf Adekunle Adeniji. The ruling party declared a period of mourning in honour of the late official, who was reportedly murdered by kidnappers after being held in captivity for several weeks.
The party’s national secretariat, popularly known as “Buhari House,” located in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja, has been closed since Thursday. According to a memo signed by the National Secretary of the party, all official activities are suspended until Monday, April 14, 2025.
Hon. AbdulRauf Adeniji was abducted several weeks ago under unclear circumstances. Reports indicate that he was killed by his abductors last month, although the news was only recently made public.
In a disturbing twist, it was revealed that the kidnappers continued to negotiate with his family and associates for a ransom of ₦50 million, even after they had already taken his life. This has shocked many across political and security circles, as the negotiations gave the impression that the victim was still alive.
Adeniji’s murder has drawn condemnation from party members and the general public, as the case highlights the growing insecurity affecting both ordinary citizens and high-ranking officials.
The APC, in a statement to all staff, announced the closure of the secretariat to allow time for mourning and reflection.
The memo, titled “Secretariat Closure for the Mourning of the Director of Administration”, read in part:
“The National Secretary has approved the closure of the National Secretariat from all party/work activities with immediate effect till Monday, 14th April 2025. This decision was made after he received the news of the sad demise of the Director of Administration, Late Hon. AbdulRauf Adekunle Adeniji.”
Party members were advised to use the mourning period for sober reflection and prayers for the late Adeniji’s family.
Sources within the party described the late official as a dedicated administrator who worked diligently behind the scenes to ensure smooth coordination at the APC national level. His death has created a deep sense of loss among party staff, some of whom gathered in small groups at the secretariat on Thursday morning, praying and sharing memories of the late director.
Hon. AbdulRauf Adekunle Adeniji was known within the APC for his calm and disciplined approach to party administration. Though not always in the public eye, he played a key role in organizing internal party activities, including policy documentation, staff coordination, and liaising between the national leadership and other arms of the party.
His sudden death has left a gap in the party’s national operations and triggered fresh discussions on the safety of government officials and political leaders, especially as insecurity continues to affect various parts of the country.
This incident adds to a growing list of high-profile kidnappings and killings in Nigeria. The country has been grappling with widespread insecurity, ranging from banditry in the Northwest and North Central regions to terrorism and separatist violence in the Northeast and Southeast.
In many parts of Nigeria, kidnappings for ransom have become a daily threat. Victims include school children, farmers, civil servants, and, increasingly, political figures. Security agencies have repeatedly promised to tackle the menace, but progress has been slow, and citizens are losing confidence in the government’s ability to protect lives and property.
Analysts say that the killing of an APC national official in such a brutal manner may force the government to take a harder look at the worsening security situation. Some within the party have already called for a full investigation into Adeniji’s death and for justice to be served swiftly.
The news of Adeniji’s death spread quickly across social media, where Nigerians expressed outrage and grief. Many described the situation as another example of how unsafe the country has become.
“This is tragic and unacceptable. If a senior official in a ruling party can be kidnapped and killed like this, what hope is left for ordinary Nigerians?” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Leaders from both within and outside the APC have also begun sending their condolences. As at the time of writing, official reactions from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or other top government functionaries had not been made public, but tributes are expected in the coming days.
Members of the APC have vowed to ensure that the perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice. A senior party official who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “This is a serious loss. Hon. Adeniji was not just an administrator; he was like a pillar holding many things together at the party secretariat. We will not rest until we get to the bottom of this.”
The Nigeria Police Force is yet to issue an official statement on the incident, though it is believed that security agencies are now involved in investigating both the kidnapping and the eventual killing of the APC official.
Some voices within civil society have also renewed calls for police reform and better coordination among intelligence agencies to tackle violent crime, especially those involving ransom and politically sensitive targets.
As the APC mourns one of its own, there are broader implications for the party and the political climate in the country. With the national secretariat shut, political activities and internal meetings have been put on hold. The incident may also influence future discussions on internal security and protection for public officials.
Meanwhile, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the party and the government respond—not just with words, but with actions that show a commitment to addressing the growing security crisis.
For now, the party flags fly at half-mast at Buhari House, and the national secretariat remains silent, a symbol of grief and uncertainty in the heart of Nigeria’s ruling party.
