Port Harcourt, Rivers State – March 6, 2026
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned a late-night arson attack that destroyed its party secretariat in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, describing the incident as a “direct assault on democracy, political tolerance, and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freely associate and participate in the democratic process.”
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday morning, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the party secretariat was set ablaze by suspected political thugs on Thursday night, March 6, 2026. The attack occurred just ahead of a scheduled visit to the community by former Rivers State Governor and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who recently defected to the ADC and has been actively mobilising support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to eyewitness accounts and local security sources, the assailants arrived in a convoy of vehicles shortly after 10 p.m., overpowered the security detail at the secretariat, doused the building with flammable substances and set it on fire. The structure was completely gutted before firefighters could reach the scene. No fatalities were reported, but several party documents, furniture, banners and campaign materials were destroyed.
In a related development, residents of Ubima community—Mr. Amaechi’s ancestral home—reported sporadic gunfire and heavy weapon sounds in the area during the same period. Community leaders said armed men invaded parts of the village, firing into the air and causing panic among residents. No casualties have been confirmed from the shooting, but several households were reportedly terrorised.
Abdullahi’s statement linked the incident to a broader pattern of intimidation allegedly directed at the ADC in Rivers State:
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) strongly condemns the criminal attack on our party secretariat in Ubima, which was burnt to the ground last night by thugs loyal to the ruling party. This fire is not only an attack on the African Democratic Congress as a political party, it is also a direct assault on democracy, political tolerance, and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freely associate and participate in the democratic process.”
He recalled that ADC members had previously been attacked during a political gathering in the state and warned that the party would no longer tolerate such acts of political thuggery:
“Those who believe they can intimidate opposition parties through arson, violence, and criminal attacks should be reminded that those who choose violence should not assume others are incapable of defending themselves. While the ADC remains a peaceful and law-abiding democratic party committed to peaceful political engagement, we will not stand by and allow our members, supporters, and facilities to become easy targets for political thuggery.”
Rivers State has long been one of Nigeria’s most volatile political battlegrounds. The state has witnessed repeated clashes between supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara (People’s Democratic Party – PDP), former governor Nyesom Wike (now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory), and various opposition figures. Rotimi Amaechi’s recent defection to the ADC and his open criticism of both Fubara and Wike have heightened tensions, especially as the state prepares for local government elections and the 2027 general cycle.
Neither Governor Fubara nor the PDP has issued an official response to the ADC’s allegations as of Friday afternoon. However, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed it had received reports of the fire and the shooting incidents in Ubima. A police spokesperson said officers had been deployed to the area to restore calm, secure the scene and begin investigations. No arrests had been made at the time of filing this report.
The incident has drawn condemnation from several civil society organisations and opposition figures. The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) described the attack as “a dangerous escalation of political intolerance” and called on security agencies to conduct a swift, transparent and independent investigation. The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Rivers State urged the police to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and warned that continued political violence could undermine preparations for upcoming elections.
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate who recently joined the ADC, also commented on X, describing the attack as “yet another sad chapter in the assault on opposition politics in Rivers State” and calling for immediate federal intervention to protect democratic spaces.
The ADC used the statement to reiterate its commitment to peaceful political competition while warning that it would defend its members and facilities “by all lawful means.” The party has demanded a full police investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
As Rivers State remains one of the most politically charged states in Nigeria, Friday’s arson attack and related violence have once again raised serious concerns about the safety of opposition politicians, party structures and ordinary citizens in the build-up to future elections.
The Rivers State Police Command has appealed to the public to provide credible information that could assist the investigation.
