2027: ADC makes urgent demand after armed men storm NDC meeting

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for Tuesday’s violent attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in Imo State.

The ADC also called on security agencies to identify and prosecute the alleged sponsors of the attack, warning that political ambition must not be allowed to plunge the state into violence ahead of the 2027 elections.

NDC members were reportedly holding a meeting at Umuoyima Town Hall in Owerri Municipal Local Government Area when armed men invaded the venue on Tuesday evening.

According to accounts cited by the ADC, more than 20 suspected thugs arrived in a bus carrying guns, knives and other dangerous weapons.

Several people were reportedly injured, while chairs, public-address equipment and other property belonging to the NDC were destroyed.

Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, the ADC Publicity Secretary in Imo State, Mac-Donald Amadi, described the attack as barbaric and unacceptable.

“We are all brothers and sisters. Imo State is our common home. Politics should not turn us into enemies. The blood of any Imolite is too precious to be spilled on the altar of ambition,” Amadi said.

He warned politicians against using violence and intimidation in their pursuit of power, insisting that electoral contests must be based on ideas and development programmes.

“Thuggery, intimidation and violence have no place in a democracy,” he said.

“Let us debate issues, not attack persons. Let us campaign with our manifesto, not with weapons.”

Amadi said the ADC would not retaliate or sponsor political violence despite the attack.

“We will not be provoked into violence. We will not sponsor thugs. Our mandate is to serve, not to shed blood,” he added.

The party urged political actors, stakeholders and young people across Imo State to reject violence and embrace peaceful democratic engagement.

It also called for an immediate investigation to ensure that the perpetrators and anyone found to have sponsored the attack were brought to justice.