The All Progressives Congress has rejected claims by the African Democratic Congress linking it to the recent shooting incident in Edo State, describing the accusations as baseless and reckless.
In a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, APC called for a thorough investigation into the matter, urging law enforcement to scrutinise the ADC and its leaders as prime suspects while reaffirming its commitment to law, order, and national security.
PUNCH Online had reported that on Tuesday, gunshots rang out at an ADC event in Edo State, endangering former Governor John Oyegun, 2023 Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate Olumide Akpata, and several others.
In a statement released Wednesday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, blamed the APC for the attack, claiming it exemplifies a troubling trend of political intimidation against opposition parties.
The APC, however, denied any involvement, asserting that the incident was self-inflicted.
The statement read, “The African Democratic Congress is, undoubtedly, its own nemesis. It needs no external help to achieve its political demise. The party is doing a good job crippling itself even before it has time to stand on its feet.
“The ADC and its leaders are insufferable jesters. They weaponise dark humour as a strategy to deceive, distract, and disrupt in desperation for public sympathy.
“In its press statement of February 25, 2026, the ADC claimed that the APC was responsible for the shooting incident involving its members in Edo State. That is utterly delusional.
“Accusing the APC even before any investigation is carried out by law enforcement is particularly senseless and shows the ADC as a party that lacks focus and without regard for the due process of law. By its baseless conclusion, the party has declared itself to be the accuser, investigator, prosecutor, and judge in its own cause.
“Nigerians must wonder how a party that cannot manage a single incident with proper guidance, maturity, and in line with legal and constitutional process can be trusted to manage the complexities of Nigeria’s security environment.”
The ruling party called the ADC’s claim of “acts of terrorism by the ruling APC against our party” in its press statement reckless and completely unfounded.
It continued, “This characterisation only reveals the ADC and its leaders as a confused bunch, desperate to whip up sentiments and curry public sympathy at all costs. Its flippant accusation clearly shows that the ADC is out of touch with the prevailing realities of the country’s war on terror and insensitive to the patriotic sacrifices of our troops on the frontlines in defence of our lives and liberty.
“Make no mistake, violence of any kind in our political space is unacceptable and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. Our great Party roundly condemns the reported shooting incident in Edo State.
“We call on police and other law enforcement authorities to carry out an expeditious investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. Investigation of this incident should begin with a thorough scrutiny of the ADC, its leaders, and members as prime suspects.
“As a party of leaders without members, the ADC is overrun by internal leadership and cult-like supremacy struggles. Among other leads, law enforcement investigations should focus on widely reported violent clashes and confrontations among its factional leaders over control and access to certain meetings of the party. The ADC cannot smear our great Party with a violent incident of its own exclusive making.”
The APC stated that President Tinubu and the ruling party continue to prioritise building a stronger, more resilient, and prosperous nation for the benefit of all Nigerians.
It added, “To be clear, the APC has absolutely no role or responsibility in the unfortunate shooting incident. We are too busy taking stock of our recent big wins in the Federal Capital Territory municipal elections, and the Rivers and Kano states constituency elections, to pay any attention to a fringe and inconsequential meeting of ADC political wanderers in Edo State.
“The ADC should be just as busy trying to fathom its back-to-back dismal and disgraceful performance in previous and recent by-elections in the country, despite its nuisance rants.
“We are grateful to Nigerians for the solid and growing support of our great Party. We particularly appreciate the electorate in the FCT, Kano, and Rivers states for their eloquent vote of confidence in our Party and in the visionary and transformative leadership of President Bola Tinubu.”
The party also reaffirmed its backing for President Bola Tinubu, stating that both the administration and the party remained committed to building “a stronger, more resilient and prosperous country for the good of all Nigerians.”
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