The African Democratic Congress has condemned the disruption of its political meeting and the arrest of three members, reaffirming its commitment to lawful and constitutional means of protecting its members and participating in the 2027 electoral process.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), in Rivers State, has condemned the alleged disruption of a political meeting in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area, and the arrest of three of its members.
The party identified the detained members as Confidence Amadi, Chikezie Justice and Isaiah Thomas, alleging that they were arrested over claims of cultism, which it described as baseless and politically motivated.
According to the ADC, the meeting was convened by its House of Assembly candidate for Ikwerre, Hon. Jeffrey Wobodo, ahead of his campaign activities.
The party also alleged that personnel of the Nigeria Police and members of OSPAC disrupted the gathering, assaulted some participants, seized mobile phones and arrested the three men.
It further alleged that the Isiokpo Area Commander, ACP Felix Ojiaku, said the men would be charged with cultism on the basis of an “order from above.”
The party also expressed concern over the reported assault of some ADC members around the police Area Command, alleging that OSPAC members were involved.
It called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the alleged conduct of security personnel and OSPAC members, and establish whether any officer acted on an alleged “order from above.”
The ADC is demanding the immediate release of the three men unless the police can provide credible evidence of an identifiable offence. It also urged security agencies to investigate whether the incident is connected to previous alleged threats and attacks against opposition activities in Ikwerre, insisting that political opposition, peaceful assembly and mobilisation are not criminal offences.
The party said it would continue to pursue lawful and constitutional means to protect its members and participate in the 2027 electoral process
Meanwhile, responding to the situation, the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, told us in a phone conversation that the briefing he got from the Area Commander is that the men arrested were having a fight and causing trouble.
Narration from eyewitnesses, however, alleged that the police accompanied those who disrupted the ADC political meeting.
