The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong warning that Nigeria’s democracy is “under siege” following the violent takeover of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Abuja. The party claims the attack, which reportedly involved armed men linked to senior officials of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), represents a new threat to multiparty politics and the future of democratic freedoms in the country.
The condemnation was contained in an official statement released on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, and signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. The opposition party accused the Bola Tinubu administration of using force to interfere in the internal affairs of another political party, describing the situation as a “dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy.”
The PDP has been embroiled in a deep leadership crisis for months, with rival factions fighting for control of the party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja. The tension boiled over on Tuesday, November 14, when armed men reportedly stormed the building to enforce the authority of one faction over the other.
Witnesses at the scene described chaotic scenes involving gunshots, teargas, and clashes among party supporters. The confrontation resulted in injuries and forced security operatives to temporarily shut down the area. The violent incident has sparked national concern, especially as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Although the ruling party has not officially taken responsibility, opposition groups insist the attackers were aligned with officials in the APC-led Federal Government. The ADC, in its statement, said this incident must not be treated as an isolated political dispute but as a national threat.
The ADC accused the APC government of actively working to destabilise opposition parties in order to tighten the ruling party’s hold on power. According to Abdullahi, the pattern of behaviour since the Tinubu administration took office shows “anti-democratic credentials.”
“Based on its various actions and machinations since coming to power, this government’s anti-democratic credentials are no longer in doubt. However, this latest assault represents a new and dangerous low,” the ADC said.
The statement warned that if the government could use force to influence leadership struggles inside an opposition party, then no civic or political institution in the country is safe.
“If the government could send armed agents to enforce factional control of an opposition headquarters, what stops it from doing the same to labour unions, press organisations, student movements, or peaceful protest groups?” the ADC asked.
The ADC linked the incident to what it described as a broader pattern of attempts to weaken or infiltrate opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. Several political analysts have expressed similar concerns, warning that Nigeria’s electoral environment could become more unstable if the trend continues.
In recent months, multiple opposition parties—including the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP—have faced internal disputes, court cases, and allegations of interference by external actors.
The ADC said the attack on the PDP headquarters “sets a dangerous background for the 2027 general elections” and calls into question the government’s commitment to a free and fair democratic process.
In the statement, the ADC demanded an independent investigation into the role of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies in the incident. Some eyewitnesses claimed that security personnel stood by as the attackers took control of the building, while others alleged that police officers directly participated in the operation.
The ADC insisted that only a transparent inquiry can reveal the truth and restore public confidence.
“We call on Nigeria’s international partners to take note of this dangerous situation and to engage the Nigerian government on the need to uphold democratic norms, respect civil liberties, and prevent further descent into authoritarian behaviour,” the party said.
The ADC also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call his political operatives to order “before they send the country into chaos.”
Nigeria’s democracy, restored in 1999 after years of military rule, has faced several challenges—from election-related violence to judicial interference and internal party crises. The latest incident has once again highlighted how fragile the system remains, especially when political competition intensifies.
In its concluding remarks, the ADC urged Nigerians not to treat the incident as a partisan issue but as a national concern that affects everyone.
“This attack affects the future of democracy in Nigeria,” Abdullahi said. “Let no one make the mistake of thinking that this is a PDP matter. It concerns every Nigerian who believes in the right to political choice and freedom.”
The party urged citizens, political actors, and civil society groups to remain vigilant and defend democratic institutions from what it described as “creeping authoritarian tendencies.”
As of Tuesday, neither the APC nor the Presidency had released an official response to the ADC’s statement. The PDP, still dealing with internal division, has also not provided full details of the attack. However, sources within the party say a formal petition may be submitted to the National Assembly and human rights bodies.
For now, Nigerians await further developments, while political observers warn that the handling of this case may set the tone for the country’s political atmosphere in the years leading up to 2027.
