Suspected political thugs burn ADC secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, attack members and journalists as Rauf Aregbesola and Kolapo Olusola-Eleka condemn the act as political terrorism.
EkitiADCAttack has thrown the political atmosphere in Ekiti State into tension after suspected political thugs set ablaze the African Democratic Congress (ADC) State Secretariat in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of the day, completely razed the party office located in the Basiri Area of the state capital, destroying several valuables including plastic chairs, canopies, sound systems, and office equipment.
According to eyewitnesses, the burnt canopies and chairs had been rented for the inauguration of the party’s executives across wards, local government areas, and the state level — an event scheduled to hold later in the day.

Thugs Disrupt ADC Event, Attack Members and Journalists
Hours after the secretariat was set ablaze, the hoodlums reportedly regrouped and stormed the venue of the planned affirmation ceremony. They disrupted preparations, attacked party leaders and supporters, and shot sporadically into the air, forcing members, journalists, and passersby to flee for safety.
In the chaos, several vehicles and a motorcycle belonging to a journalist were vandalised, while canopies and chairs arranged for the programme were destroyed beyond repair.
Aregbesola Condemns Attack, Calls It a Threat to Democracy
About 15 minutes after the attackers fled, ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola arrived at the venue under tight security and proceeded with the inauguration of the newly affirmed executives.
Speaking to journalists, Aregbesola condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as a “shameful display of intolerance and a dangerous threat to democracy.”
Without naming anyone, he expressed disappointment that individuals who rose to power through democratic means could resort to violence to suppress opposition voices.
“It is difficult to adequately express the disappointment,” Aregbesola said. “Don’t forget in 2009, the incumbent administration in Ekiti then did undemocratic actions, and we felt that victims of such irresponsible and anti-democratic actions would not replicate such wickedness in the state.”
The former Osun State governor and ex-Minister of Interior stressed that democracy thrives on freedom of association and participation without fear or intimidation. He warned that the attack on ADC members signaled a “descent into fascism.”
Aregbesola also criticised security agencies for failing to protect the ADC secretariat and its members, accusing them of dereliction of duty.
“The security agencies must protect lives and property, and when they fail to do so, they are violating the constitution,” he said. “Failure to act exposes them as being compromised.”
“It’s Political Terrorism” — Ex-Ekiti Deputy Governor
Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, also condemned the incident, describing it as an act of political terrorism.
He lamented that such acts of violence were creeping into Ekiti politics, a state once known for peace and tolerance. The former deputy governor criticised the security agencies for what he called a disappointing response to the attack, saying the police failed to act promptly despite early reports.
“What has happened today in Ekiti State is what we call political terrorism, and it is quite unfortunate this is happening in our state. This is against the principle of democracy that we are all preaching,” he said.
“We have made reports to the police through the state party chairman, and let me say that we are let down by the security agencies because more than two hours after we made reports on the midnight attack on our secretariat, we observed that they were not there to protect the property and the people,” he added.
Police React
When contacted, the Ekiti State Police Spokesman, Sunday Abutu, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident. He stated that the State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, had ordered a full-scale investigation into the attack.
Abutu assured that the perpetrators would be apprehended and brought to justice, reaffirming the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and order in the state.