The Ekiti State Police Command has promised to apprehend those behind Monday’s attack on the state secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ado-Ekiti.
The Command’s spokesman, SP Sunday Abutu, told journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday that the Commissioner of Police had ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Hoodlums were said to have stormed the party’s secretariat on Monday night, vandalising property including chairs, tables, canopies, musical instruments, and motorcycles before setting the building on Basiri/Ilesa Road ablaze.
The attack occurred on the eve of the inauguration of the party’s newly elected state executives scheduled for Tuesday, October 21.
Arriving in Ado-Ekiti shortly after the incident, the ADC National Secretary and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, condemned the attack, describing it as undemocratic.
Mr Aregbesola said it was unfortunate and shameful that products of the democratic process can exhibit such a ‘despicable act in the name of politics.’
He called on security agencies to safeguard lives and property in the state.
“When you see undemocratic people undermining democratic processes the way we have witnessed here, it is a terrible decline to racism,” he stated.
The former Minister of Interior noted that democracy thrives on freedom of association and participation in its activities, such as open meetings, rallies, and campaigns.
He urged Nigerians and the security agencies to rise up to curb undemocratic tendencies in the nation’s political space.
Despite the attack, the party went ahead with its planned activities, holding an affirmation for the state executives and inaugurating others under the leadership of the state chairman, Ilesanmi Omolayo.
Speaking after the inauguration, Omolayo urged members to remain resolute and committed to the ideals of the party.
Prominent figures at the event included former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Olusola Eleka, and former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Gboyega Aribisogun.