Kaduna Chaos: ADC Members Attacked Amidst 2027 Political Violence Fears

The 2027 governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State, Mohammed Ashiru, has leveled serious accusations against security operatives, alleging they attacked members of his party during a campaign rally in Kaduna. The incident, which Ashiru described as unacceptable, reportedly occurred during a rally organized by the Arise & Shine Isa Ashiru Support Group on Wednesday, marking the flag-off of the party’s governorship and State House of Assembly campaigns. According to a statement issued by his spokesman, Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, ADC members and supporters were subjected to harassment and intimidation, with operatives of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVIS) specifically accused of disrupting the gathering, leading to the alleged confiscation of phones and other valuables. Furthermore, Ashiru claimed that two female party members sustained injuries and required hospital treatment following the incident. He condemned the alleged actions, emphasizing that KADVIS, as a state-supported security outfit, should uphold its mandate to protect citizens and maintain order during lawful public gatherings, rather than interfere with political activities. Ashiru also asserted that the rally organizers had secured all necessary permits from relevant law-enforcement authorities.

In response to these allegations, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shu’aibu, SAN, firmly denied that KADVIS operatives attacked residents participating in any lawful campaign rally. Shu’aibu defended KADVIS personnel, stating they are professionally trained and operate strictly within legal parameters. He also underscored the importance of political organizers obtaining proper approval and making necessary security arrangements before holding rallies, particularly in the current climate. The Commissioner highlighted that the recent lifting of the ban on political campaigns has prompted security agencies to maintain a heightened state of alert to prevent criminal elements from exploiting and hijacking political gatherings, which could pose risks to public safety.

Concurrently, the Kaduna State Police Command provided its own account, explaining that the dispersal of a crowd linked to the ADC in the Kaduna metropolis was necessitated by legitimate security concerns and the obstruction of a major thoroughfare. DSP Mansir Hassan, the police spokesman, stated that the command received a distress call from security personnel at Murtala Square concerning an alleged attempt by a group of unknown persons to forcefully enter the premises. Police units were deployed to avert any breach of security and ensure public order. Upon arrival, officers encountered a large crowd displaying ADC-branded banners and advised them on the proper procedures for holding events or gaining access to Murtala Square, which required authorization from management. While the police initially withdrew after the situation appeared stable, Hassan alleged that the group subsequently moved along WAFF Road towards the NEPA Roundabout on Ahmadu Bello Way, a vital commercial route. This movement reportedly led to the blockage of the roadway, causing significant traffic congestion and disrupting vehicular movement. The command maintained that its intervention was solely aimed at restoring public order and safeguarding residents, not at impeding lawful political participation.

The African Democratic Congress, at a national level, has strongly condemned the alleged attack on its members in Kaduna State, issuing a stern warning against the introduction of thuggery and violence into the 2027 electoral process. Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party's National Publicity Secretary, described the incident as an "unacceptable escalation" at the onset of political activities for the upcoming elections. Abdullahi emphasized that the ADC's dedication to peaceful democratic participation should not be misconstrued as weakness, asserting that "no political party has a monopoly on non-state sanctioned violence" and cautioning that once violence becomes an accepted political tool, its consequences become unpredictable. The party has called upon security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation, ensuring that all individuals responsible, including sponsors and organizers, are identified, arrested, and prosecuted. The ADC also expressed solidarity with its Kaduna State governorship candidate, Hon. Isa Ashiru, and other affected members, urging the Kaduna State Government to guarantee the safety of opposition parties and their supporters as the 2027 elections draw closer. The party declared its unwavering resolve not to be intimidated, vowing to "organise, campaign, and compete in every part of Kaduna State," and insisted that the outcome of the 2027 elections must be determined by voters through the ballot box, based on competing ideas, rather than violence and intimidation.