Chaos erupted in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Tuesday when suspected political thugs set fire to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) state secretariat in the Basiri Area, destroying valuable property and disrupting a planned inauguration of party executives.
The early morning arson attack razed the ADC office, incinerating rented canopies, plastic chairs, a sound system, and office equipment intended for the day’s ward, local government, and state-level executive inauguration.
Hours later, the assailants regrouped, storming the ceremony venue in a commando-style assault, firing shots into the air.
The attack scattered ADC members, journalists, and passersby, with vehicles and motorcycles vandalized and event materials destroyed.Despite the violence, ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola arrived under tight security and conducted a brief inauguration of the new executives.
Addressing journalists, the former Osun State governor condemned the attack as a “shameful act of intolerance” and a threat to democracy.
“It’s disheartening that those who rose through democratic processes would resort to violence to silence opposition,” he said, criticizing security agencies for failing to protect the secretariat and members, accusing them of “dereliction of duty” and possible compromise.
Former Ekiti Deputy Governor Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka labeled the incident “political terrorism,” lamenting its impact on Ekiti’s reputation for peace and democratic values.
He criticized the police for their delayed response despite early reports of the midnight attack, calling it a failure to uphold constitutional duties.
Ekiti State Police spokesman SP Sunday Abutu confirmed the incident, stating that Commissioner of Police CP Joseph Eribo has ordered a thorough investigation to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure justice.
The attack has raised concerns about rising political violence in Ekiti, with calls for stronger security measures to protect democratic freedoms and prevent further intimidation of opposition parties.
