The Imo State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), James Okoroma, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the recent attack on former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, warning that such political violence threatens Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Thursday, Okoroma alleged that the APC, alarmed by the ADC’s rising influence, sponsored hoodlums to disrupt an event attended by El-Rufai in Kaduna.
According to him, investigations conducted by the ADC showed that the attack was planned, funded, and executed to intimidate the opposition.
“From our independent findings, this was the handwork of the APC. They are bothered by the growing political influence of the African Democratic Congress,” Okoroma claimed.
He further insisted that the incident was not a spontaneous outbreak of violence but a well-coordinated assault.
“The hoodlums were paid. Buses were hired to convey them. Placards were printed. People funded this operation,” he alleged.
Okoroma described the attack as part of a disturbing trend of political intimidation, adding that El-Rufai, who now holds a key position within the ADC coalition, was deliberately targeted to destabilize the opposition.
He urged the APC-led Federal Government to channel its efforts into fixing the economy, addressing poverty, and tackling insecurity, rather than allegedly sponsoring attacks on opponents.
Background
The allegations come just a week after El-Rufai petitioned the Police Service Commission (PSC), accusing senior officers of the Kaduna State Police Command of colluding with political thugs.
In the petition dated September 8, 2025, the former governor claimed that police officers stood by while he and other opposition politicians were attacked during a meeting in Kaduna on August 30.
“I am writing as a citizen of Nigeria and former governor of Kaduna State to demand an immediate, impartial, and thorough investigation into the unlawful and unconstitutional conduct of the Commissioner of Police and some officers of the Kaduna State Police Command,” El-Rufai stated.
Following the incident, El-Rufai and six other senior ADC members were invited by the police for questioning over alleged criminal conspiracy, incitement, and public disturbance, escalating political tensions in the state.
Okoroma’s Final Word
Okoroma emphasized that the ADC would not bow to intimidation.
“Those in power must allow democracy to thrive. Violence against political opponents is unacceptable and only deepens Nigeria’s instability,” he concluded.
