By Our Correspondent

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned what it describes as a “disturbing and dangerous assault on democracy” following the violent attack on the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja by armed men under the command of senior officials of the ruling party, warning that the country’s democracy is under siege.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC criticised the Tinubu administration for employing violence in its bid to take control of another political party. The party warned that such actions are a direct threat to multiparty democracy and advance the ruling party’s desire to entrench a one-party rule in Nigeria.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) strongly condemns, the brazen invasion and violent takeover of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, November 14, 2025, by agents of the APC Federal Government.

The incident, without doubt, is a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy, which must be condemned by everyone, regardless of party affiliation.

Based on its various actions and machinations since coming to power, this government’s anti-democratic credentials are no longer in doubt. However, this latest assault represents a new and dangerous low, even by the already-worrying standards of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

With this action, the government is sending a chilling message that it would do anything and employ any means, including acts of terror, to advance partisan political interests. If the government could send armed agents to enforce factional control of an opposition headquarters, what stops it from doing the same to labour unions, press organisations, student movements, or peaceful protest groups?

Therefore, let no one make the mistake of thinking that this is a PDP matter. This attack affects the future of democracy in Nigeria and sets a dangerous background for the 2027 general elections.

The ADC therefore views this invasion as another episode, albeit a more sinister one, in the ruling party’s insidious efforts to destabilise opposition parties and undermine Nigeria’s future as a multiparty democracy.

We therefore call on all Nigerians and Nigeria’s international partners to take note of this dangerous situation and to engage the Nigerian government on the need to uphold democratic norms, respect civil liberties, and prevent further descent into authoritarian behaviour.

As a party, we also demand an independent investigation into the role of the Nigerian Police and other security forces in this disgraceful action. We also call on President Bola Tinubu to rein in his political operatives before they send the country into chaos.

By David Owei.

Bayelsa State Government has urged the national leadership of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to work with other stakeholders to ensure a free, fair and credible election of a new executive body to run the affairs of the labour centre in the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the call at an expanded meeting with state executives of the TUC, its affiliate unions and relevant government officials at his office in Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, appealed to the National Executive Council of the TUC, under the leadership of Comrade Festus Osifo, to suspend the state chapter election billed for Wednesday 19th, November, 2025 to enable government and other stakeholders sort out thorny issues surrounding the election.

He pointed out that whilst the state government has no interest in who becomes the next Chairman of the TUC in the state, it would not shirk its responsibility to ensure that peace, equity, fairness and justice prevail in the forthcoming TUC election in the state.

To this end, the Deputy Governor has set up a five-member committee to investigate the issues threatening the conduct of a peaceful, free and fair election for the state council of the Congress.

The Committee, headed by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr Irorodamie Komonibo, was mandated to get the TUC constitution and the guidelines issued by its national leadership for the elections conducted in Ekiti, Ogun, Kebbi and other states.

The electoral committee for the Bayelsa Council election was also asked to make available to the Komonibo-led committee, the three guidelines allegedly issued at different times by the national body.

Members of the committee include the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, the Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Mr Saturday Odoko, his information counterpart, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, and the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr Perekeme Richard.

His words: “The TUC has to submit their constitution to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House and members of the committee to look at. Secondly, the guidelines used for the election in Ekiti, Ogun, Kebbi and other states must also be made available to the committee today (Tuesday).

“Thirdly, the first, second and third guidelines alleged to have been issued for the Bayelsa election should also made available to the committee.

“Finally, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, should call the National President of TUC to suspend the Bayelsa election because of what is happening in the state.

“We are pleading with them (the national leadership of TUC) to put the election scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday) forward until we have sorted out all the issues.

‘We are not interested in who becomes your union Chairman. But we are interested in seeing fairness, equity, justice, good conscience and natural law which is the basis of all humanity being exhibited in your election.”

In their separate contributions, the Head of Service, Dr Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, and the Commissioner for Information, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, stressed that government as a critical player in industrial relations would not fold its arms and watch actions that were capable of creating acrimony and instability in any of the labour centres.

Mrs Koku-Obiyai, who is a former state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, described electoral guidelines as key to the conduct of any credible election, called on the national Executive of TUC to ensure uniformity of its guidelines across the various states of the federation.

Also speaking, the state Chairman of TUC, Dr. Laye Julius, appealed to the state government to wade into the brewing crisis to enable the Bayelsa Council choose its new leadership without interference from any quarters.

The state Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Andabai Sonia, state Secretary of TUC, Mr Amatoru Bright, the Financial Secretary, Mr Abah Dressman, the ELECO Chairman, Mr Anengimo Jonah, a chairmanship candidate for the state TUC election, Mr Igbudu Pedro and the state Chairman, Law Officers Association of Nigeria, Mr Maxwell Willie, among others spoke at the meeting.

By George Mgbeleke,Abuja

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday vowed to dislodge he ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 election as it inaugurated its National Headquarters in Abuja.

The event marked a renewed commitment by the party to leadership, service, and nation-building as it positions itself for the 2027 elections.

The inauguration attracted a galaxy of prominent political figures, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Chief of Staff to the President Babachir Lawal, former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former military leader Tunde Ogbeha, Senator Dino Melaye, and former Senate Minority Leader Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, among others.

In his address, Senator David Mark, the National Chairman of ADC, reassured Nigerians that the party is strategically prepared to take over the leadership of the country in 2027. He emphasized the need for internal democracy, unity, and placing party interest above personal ambition, urging members to commit to collective progress.

Senator Mark highlighted the symbolic significance of the new headquarters, noting that it will serve as a hub for policy development, grassroots mobilization, and innovative governance strategies. “This building is more than bricks and mortar; it represents our vision for a Nigeria driven by integrity, service, and inclusive leadership,” he said.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Abdullahi Bolaji, during a chat with newsmen, reaffirmed Nigerians on the party’s commitment towards a public-centric agenda for a better Nigeria.

He said, “ADC mandate goes beyond winning elections but introducing policies that will enhance better dividends of democracy. That is why our vision is focused towards the conduct of our members, as there are things we won’t allow them to participate in.”

According to him, their doors are open to eminent politicians who want to join them in moving the country towards achieving greater heights.

The programme was characterized by a tour of the headquarters, showcasing modern conference facilities, offices for strategic units, and spaces designed for training and capacity-building for party members.

Leaders at the event hailed the ADC’s renewed focus on institutional strength, technological integration, and youth engagement as a blueprint for political competitiveness in the years ahead.