Ahead of the 2023 elections, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to seal its national secretariat in Abuja through the officials of the Federal Capital Development Control (FCDA).
The party, which said it would not be intimidated, revealed that it had already dispatched a special letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inter-Party Advisory Commission (IPAC), and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, to take steps towards addressing such witch-hunting.
Its National Director of Communications and Programs, Barr. Ifenla Oligbinde alleged that some agents of other political parties, especially the APC, have started using unscrupulous ways to intimidate or blackmail the ADC.
Recall that during the week, the ADC National Executive Council (NEC) at its Special meeting held Thursday, 25th August 2022, under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), resolved to extend the tenure of its national officers.
Against this background, the opposition party noted that the ruling party was already in a panic mood over its growing popularity and wide acceptability in the country which might determine the outcome of the 2023 general election.
The ADC warned such “paid agents” to stop the act, which it described as embarrassing.
It pointed out that the ADC was not a commercial or business enterprise, adding that there had not been any area designated by the FCT or Development Control where political parties can situate their offices.
It stated: “Following on the resolution by the ADC National Executive Council (NEC) to extend the tenure of National officers of the party during the Special NEC Meeting which held on Thursday, 25th August 2022, ADC has reported that the party’s steady progress towards the general elections has started ruffling several feathers.
“Some devious agents of other political parties have started using unscrupulous ways to intimidate or blackmail our party.
“Some unscrupulous persons have arranged to seal the premises of ADC under the pretense that ADC office is located in an area designated by FCDA as a non-commercial area.
“ADC is not a commercial or business enterprise and there has not been any area designated by the FCT or Development Control where political parties can situate their offices, as was done for embassies.”
The party stressed that the ADC Global Campus and Transformation Centre that serves as the party’s office, like many other political parties’ offices, is situated even in a more public place than most of the offices of APC or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The ADC stated categorically that it would not be bullied or intimidated by the antics of the ruling party.
