The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed disappointment with the Kaduna State Police Command’s handling of the violent disruption of its inauguration in Kaduna. The party says its members were attacked by armed thugs and that the police response was inadequate.
ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi noted that the party had pre‑booked the venue for the meeting, as required, yet the police claimed the gathering was “unauthorised”. He argued that, in a democracy, the right to assemble peacefully is guaranteed by the Constitution, and a police notification is merely a procedural matter, not a prerequisite for exercising that right.
In its statement, the police linked the ADC to “political gangsters” and announced an investigation into the alleged violence. Abdullahi criticised this approach, saying investigations should establish facts before conclusions are drawn and that the police should not act as both judge and jury, as doing so undermines justice and democracy.
The Kaduna police command has also suspended all “unauthorised gatherings” in the state, a move the ADC sees as an overreach of authority. Abdullahi argued that security agencies should protect lawful assemblies, not proscribe them, and that giving the police the power to decide which meetings can take place is equivalent to handing them veto power over democracy itself.
The ADC rejects any attempts to link it to the violent acts that occurred during its inauguration, reaffirming its commitment to peaceful, issue‑based politics. The party has called on the police command to review its statement, conduct a transparent investigation, and explain why officers were not present to prevent the attack on ADC leaders and members.
The incident raises concerns about the ability of opposition parties to operate freely in Kaduna State and about the role of the police in maintaining law and order. The ADC’s experience may have implications for the wider political landscape in Nigeria, where the ability of parties to assemble and express themselves is a fundamental aspect of democratic governance.
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