A fire ravaged the headquarters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ekiti State in the early hours of Tuesday, sparking fresh concerns about escalating political violence in the run‑up to upcoming elections.
What happened
According to party officials and local residents, a group of hoodlums forced entry into the ADC Secretariat late at night, broke through the gate and set the building ablaze.
The inferno consumed the structure, furniture and hundreds of plastic chairs, reducing much of the secretariat to charred rubble.
Videos circulating on social media show the building engulfed in flames with broken windows and burnt campaign materials scattered around the site.
Party’s reaction
In a statement, ADC accused political opponents of orchestrating the attack, claiming the arson was targeted at crippling its growing influence in the state. “Our Party Secretariat was set ablaze … by those threatened by the rising momentum and formidable organisational structure that the Ekiti ADC is building,” the party said in part.
The incident occurred just hours before a major ADC event — a reconfiguration and affirmation ceremony for ward, local government, senatorial and state executives — leading to speculation that the timing was deliberate.
Security response and investigation
At the time of reporting, the Ekiti State Police Command had not issued an official press release. However, security sources say an investigation has been launched to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.
Implications
The attack highlights growing concerns over political intolerance and violence in the state. Political observers warn that the destruction of party infrastructure amounts to an assault on democratic norms and could have a chilling effect on opposition activity. “The destruction of party properties is an attack on democracy itself,” said one analyst.
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ADC, for its part, has vowed to rebuild stronger, rally its supporters and carry on with its campaign efforts despite the setback. “Our spirit remains unbroken; our vision, unstoppable,” the statement concluded.
The Attack
The arson of the ADC secretariat in Ekiti is more than a destructive blaze — it signals a sharp escalation in political risk.
As the state braces for future contests, how the authorities respond to this attack may set a precedent for how free, safe and fair that contest will be.
