APC, ADC Trade Accusations Over Attacks In Kaduna

The political contest ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Kaduna State has intensified, with the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition African Democratic Congress trading allegations over attacks on their supporters, vandalism and damage to party property.

The latest dispute followed an incident involving ADC supporters who gathered to welcome the party’s governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru, after his return from Saudi Arabia.

Manasseh Istifanus, the ADC candidate for Zangon Kataf Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, alleged that supporters waiting for Ashiru were attacked at Dakande Toll Gate.

Istifanus condemned the incident and urged security agencies to investigate the circumstances and prosecute anyone found responsible.

“Politics should be about ideas, service, persuasion, and the will of the people; not violence, intimidation, and thuggery,” he said.

Another ADC member, Awwal Gezau, alleged that supporters who had parked their vehicles around Maraban Jos were also attacked.

According to Gezau, men who arrived in Hilux vehicles and a bus allegedly damaged several vehicles belonging to ADC supporters. The party subsequently displayed the damaged cars as evidence of the incident.

The ADC also alleged that some of its members travelling to Kaduna to receive Ashiru were attacked at Dakande.

The allegations have not been independently established, and there was no immediate confirmation from security agencies identifying those responsible.

The APC, meanwhile, accused unidentified attackers of targeting its members, offices and support groups.

Its Kaduna Publicity Secretary, Sani Dan Azare, said vehicles were allegedly vandalised at party premises, while APC members and supporters were assaulted and intimidated in other parts of the state.

The party called on the police and other security agencies to conduct an impartial investigation and determine what happened.

“Various claims and allegations have emerged in connection with these incidents,” Dan Azare said, urging security agencies to examine all credible evidence before reaching conclusions.

He also appealed to APC members to remain calm and avoid retaliation.

“No political contest is greater than the peace and security of Kaduna State. Let the facts be established. Let due process prevail. Let the law take its course,” he said.

The latest allegations come days after another confrontation involving ADC supporters and security personnel during a solidarity walk for Ashiru in Kaduna.

The September 9 incident occurred around Murtala Square as ADC supporters gathered for a march to mark the commencement of the party’s campaign activities. The ADC accused security personnel of disrupting the gathering, while the police said tear gas was used to disperse a crowd after it allegedly blocked a major road and disrupted public order.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, subsequently called for those responsible for the incident and anyone who sponsored or organised it to be identified and prosecuted.

“Let nobody mistake our commitment to peaceful democratic participation for weakness,” Abdullahi said, warning against the use of violence in political competition.

Ashiru, who contested the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, is now the ADC’s candidate, while incumbent Governor Uba Sani is seeking re-election on the APC platform.

Beyond the accusations, the ADC has been building its campaign structure across the North-West.

Its governorship candidates in Kaduna, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara recently signed the Northwest ADC Governorship Candidates’ Compact 2027–2031.

The compact outlines proposed joint approaches to issues including insecurity, education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and economic development, while recognising the constitutional powers of individual state governments.

Among the proposals are a N110,000 minimum wage for workers across the region, 21 specialist hospitals — one in each senatorial district — and a regional security coordination centre to strengthen intelligence sharing and early-warning mechanisms.

The candidates also proposed expanded use of surveillance technology, drones and rapid-response systems, alongside investments in irrigation, protected agricultural corridors, agro-processing, grain reserves, primary healthcare, telemedicine and community health insurance.