Suspected hoodlums on Tuesday attacked and set ablaze the Secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
The incident occurred in the early hours of the day at the party’s office in the Basiri area, destroying plastic chairs, canopies, sound systems, and other valuables.
The items that were burnt had reportedly been arranged for the inauguration of new party executives at the ward, local government, and state levels, which was scheduled to take place later in the day.
After the building was razed, the attackers regrouped and stormed the venue of the planned event, shooting into the air and attacking ADC members, journalists, and others around.
The chaos led to the destruction of vehicles, motorcycles, canopies, and chairs arranged for the ceremony.
About fifteen minutes after the hoodlums fled, ADC National Secretary and former Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, arrived at the scene under tight security and went ahead with a brief inauguration of the new executives.
He condemned the attack, describing it as an act of intolerance and a threat to democracy.
Also reacting, former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, described the incident as political terrorism and a dangerous trend in Ekiti’s political atmosphere.
He accused security agencies of failing to respond promptly despite early reports of the midnight attack.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti, SP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, has ordered a full-scale investigation to identify and arrest those behind the attack.
