By John Umeh
The Ekiti State capital, Ado-Ekiti, was thrown into chaos on Tuesday morning after armed hoodlums attacked and set ablaze the state secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), disrupting the inauguration of the party’s new executive members.
The assailants, believed to be political thugs, reportedly struck around dawn, razing the party office located in the Basiri area of the city. The inferno destroyed valuable property, including office furniture, sound equipment, canopies, and chairs meant for the day’s inauguration ceremony.
Witnesses said the attackers returned hours later in a coordinated assault, storming the venue where ADC members were preparing to inaugurate their newly elected officials. The thugs, who arrived in several vehicles, shot sporadically into the air to disperse the crowd, sending party members, journalists, and bystanders fleeing for safety.
Several vehicles and motorcycles belonging to journalists were vandalized, while materials arranged for the event were reduced to debris before the attackers fled the scene.
Despite the violent disruption, the ADC National Secretary, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, arrived under heavy security to complete a brief inauguration ceremony for the party’s executives.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Aregbesola condemned the assault, describing it as “a shameful exhibition of political intolerance and a direct attack on democracy.”
“It is regrettable that individuals who benefited from democracy now resort to violence to silence opposition,” he said. “We cannot pretend that such actions are normal. What happened today is not just an attack on the ADC but on Nigeria’s democratic values.”
The former Osun State governor and Minister of Interior also criticized security agencies for failing to prevent the attack, accusing them of neglecting their constitutional duty to safeguard citizens and property.
“The security agencies must understand that protecting lives and property is not optional — it is their obligation under the law. Their inaction today is both disappointing and dangerous,” he added.
Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, also decried the incident, labeling it an act of “political terrorism.”
“This is a disturbing return to the dark days of political violence in Ekiti,” Olusola-Eleka said. “It is shameful that thuggery and intolerance are creeping back into a state once known for peace and tolerance.”
He also faulted the delayed response of the police, noting that reports of the midnight arson were made hours before the inauguration but no preventive action was taken.
“The police were informed long before the attack escalated, yet they failed to show up until the damage was done. This silence and delay embolden the perpetrators,” he said.
When contacted, SP Sunday Abutu, spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police Command, confirmed the incident.
He stated that Commissioner of Police Joseph Eribo has ordered a full investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible for the arson and violence.
“The command is aware of the attack on the ADC secretariat. The Commissioner has directed a thorough investigation, and all efforts are being made to bring the culprits to justice,” Abutu assured.
As of press time, normalcy had returned to the area, but the incident has left deep political tension in Ekiti, with calls mounting for improved security and protection for opposition parties in the state.
