National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, and former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, have condemned the attack and burning of the party’s secretariat in Ado Ekiti, describing it as a grave threat to democracy and political tolerance.

Residents and ADC members reportedly woke up on Tuesday to find the secretariat razed, with office equipment, plastic chairs, canopies, and sound systems destroyed.

A few hours later, suspected hoodlums were said to have regrouped and invaded the venue of the party’s planned affirmation ceremony, attacking members, vandalising vehicles and motorcycles, and disrupting the event’s preparations.

Reacting to the incident, Aregbesola, who arrived at the venue shortly after the attackers fled, described the assault as a shameful display of intolerance and a dangerous signal for Nigeria’s democracy.

“It is regrettable that individuals who emerged through democratic processes can resort to violence and intimidation to silence opposition voices. The attack on ADC members in Ekiti signifies a descent into fascism,” Aregbesola stated.

The former Interior Minister also criticised security agencies for failing to protect the party’s members and property, describing the negligence as a violation of constitutional responsibility.

Similarly, Olusola-Eleka condemned the incident, calling it an act of political terrorism. He lamented the failure of security personnel to respond promptly despite early reports of the midnight attack.

“We were let down by the security agencies because, more than two hours after we reported the incident, no officer arrived to secure the premises,” he said.

The Ekiti ADC Chairman, Ilesanmi Omolayo, also confirmed that several members sustained injuries during the attack and were receiving medical treatment in various hospitals.

He alleged that the assault was a deliberate attempt to intimidate the party because of its growing popularity in the state.

In his reaction, ADC governorship aspirant and former High Commissioner to Canada, Dare Bejide, described the attack as barbaric, adding that those behind it were enemies of democracy.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident and stated that the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, had ordered a comprehensive investigation to arrest and prosecute the culprits.