Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has leveled serious accusations against political thugs, alleging they violently attacked her and other party officials during the African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Assembly Primary in Abuja. She vehemently described the incident as a “premeditated ambush” and issued a stern warning that political thuggery must not be allowed to supplant democracy within the nation's political landscape.

In a detailed statement shared publicly on her Facebook page on Sunday, Senator Kingibe recounted the specifics of the incident, which she stated occurred on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The location of the attack was the ADC State Secretariat in Gudu, where she had gone to oversee the distribution of essential materials for the party’s National Assembly primary elections. Initially, the process was proceeding peacefully and without incident, maintaining an orderly atmosphere. However, this calm was abruptly shattered with the arrival of a man identified as Tijani Mubarak, who appeared with several other individuals and immediately began to disrupt the ongoing proceedings.

Senator Kingibe’s account details the rapid escalation of the situation. She explained that the moment Mubarak introduced himself, the Chairman of the committee inquired if he was the same individual who had made calls earlier that day. “Instantly, Mubarak became aggressively rude,” the Senator stated. She further alleged that the situation spiraled out of control when the election committee chairman refused to tolerate Mubarak's unruly behavior, leading directly to a physical assault. Kingibe explicitly reported, ”He violently slapped the Chairman of the Committee.”

The violence, according to Senator Kingibe, was not confined to the committee chairman. A female aspirant who attempted to record the unfolding incident on her phone was also targeted. Infuriated by her actions, Mubarak allegedly ordered his accompanying thugs to seize the woman’s phone, which they did forcefully, physically compelling her in the process. Senator Kingibe herself claimed to have been subjected to a physical assault during the chaos. She alleged, “One of Mubarak’s men turned on me… grabbed me, and flung me violently against the wall, hitting my head with severe force.”

Following these assaults, the attackers reportedly locked the office door, effectively trapping Senator Kingibe and other occupants inside. They then fled the premises, taking the key with them, which prevented anyone from escaping. Senator Kingibe described the terrifying moment: “Realising he was losing control of the room, Mubarak ran to the exit door, locked it, and trapped us inside with himself and his armed thugs.” Eventually, supporters located outside the premises managed to force their way into the building after a violent scuffle, successfully rescuing those who had been trapped inside.

After the traumatic event, Senator Kingibe sought medical attention due to a severe headache and blurred vision. She confirmed that doctors at the hospital reportedly confirmed she had sustained head trauma. In response to the attack, she took immediate action, reporting the matter to the ADC national leadership and subsequently lodging a formal complaint at the Apo Police Station in Abuja, seeking official recourse for the violence she experienced.

In a passionate plea for justice, the Senator called upon relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into what she unequivocally described as a coordinated attack. “I call upon the Inspector General of Police and the FCT Police Commissioner to immediately order the arrest, thorough investigation, and swift prosecution” of those involved, she urged. Senator Ireti Kingibe also strongly condemned violence against women in politics, emphasizing that the incident must not be ignored or swept under the carpet. She declared her resolute stance, stating, “The barbaric manhandling of a female aspirant and the physical assault on my person will not be swept under the carpet,” and affirmed that she remains “unbowed” despite the traumatic ordeal.