The Edo State secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was attacked by suspected political thugs, who smashed windows and damaged property, attempting to set the building on fire.
The attackers, allegedly carrying a 10-litre container of fuel, were resisted by residents and ADC sympathisers.
The Edo State chairman of the ADC, Kennedy Odion, confirmed the attack, stating that the suspected thugs came with the intention of setting the building ablaze.
He said: “They destroyed all the windows and other items in the building before ADC sympathisers in the area came to the rescue.”
Odion further alleged that the attackers arrived with a 10-litre container of fuel, insisting their mission was to burn the secretariat.
According to him: “Some politicians want the ADC to leave the state so that no other political party will contest the 2027 election with them.”
“Elections are a democratic process that requires participation by all. There is freedom of association, which is still in force, and nobody can be forced to join a political party of another person’s choice,” he added.
He said the incident had been reported to security agencies and urged them to track down those responsible and bring them to justice.
While confirming the development, the spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, said the incident was reported at about 8pm on Wednesday.
She said police operatives were immediately dispatched to the scene to restore calm, adding that a preliminary assessment showed malicious damage to party flags and two shattered windows at the premises.
According to her, security operatives have been stationed in the area to prevent further attacks, while investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those behind the incident.
