The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State for the 2027 election, Isa Mohammed Ashiru, has condemned what he described as repeated attacks, harassment and intimidation of the party’s members and supporters across the state.
Ashiru raised the concern after reports emerged that some ADC supporters who gathered to welcome him following his return from a two-week Lesser Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia were allegedly attacked.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, the candidate described the reported incident as unacceptable, warning that political violence could undermine citizens’ rights to freely associate with and support the political party or candidate of their choice.
According to the statement, ADC members were allegedly attacked and several vehicles vandalised. It further claimed that the suspected attackers arrived in a branded “Renewed Hope” 18-seater bus and a Hilux vehicle.
The statement alleged that the attackers, who were reportedly armed, later entered the Kaduna State Secretariat of the Renewed Hope at about 3:50 p.m. on Tuesday.
Ashiru warned the Kaduna State Government and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against allowing political disagreements to escalate into violence or the suppression of opposition voices.
“Enough is enough. Kaduna belongs to all of us, and no political party has the right to prevent citizens from supporting the party or candidate of their choice,” he said.
The ADC candidate maintained that his party remained committed to an issue-based campaign focused on presenting alternatives and offering Kaduna residents a different vision for governance.
He urged Governor Uba Sani to ensure that political parties and their supporters could carry out legitimate activities peacefully and without fear.
Ashiru also called on security agencies to investigate the reported attacks and property damage and prosecute anyone found culpable based on credible evidence, irrespective of political affiliation.
He appealed to ADC members and supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that the party would defend their democratic rights through constitutional means.
“We will not be intimidated, and we will not be provoked into violence. Our response will remain the ballot, the issues and the people. Kaduna deserves a peaceful, competitive and credible democratic process,” he said.
APC Raises Counter-Allegations
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State chapter of the APC also condemned what it described as attacks on its members, vandalisation of party offices and damage to offices belonging to affiliated support groups.
In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Sani Dan Azare, the party alleged that vehicles within its premises were vandalised and that some APC members and supporters were assaulted and intimidated in other parts of the state.
The APC called on the police and other security agencies to investigate the incidents impartially, establish the facts and take appropriate action against anyone found responsible on the basis of credible evidence.
The conflicting allegations have heightened concerns over political tensions in Kaduna ahead of the 2027 elections, with both parties calling for investigations into reported incidents involving their supporters.
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