EDITORIAL: We condemn the violent disruption of APC meeting in Gombe
The recent violent disruption of the North-East Zonal Meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe, where senior party officials including the North-East National Vice Chairman, Comrade Mustapha Salihu, and the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, were physically attacked, marks a disturbing low in Nigeria’s political culture.
It is a tragic reminder that the specter of political thuggery still haunts the corridors of our democracy and must be confronted decisively.
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If a meeting convened for party consultation and political dialogue could descend into a scene of coordinated violence against high-ranking national officers of the ruling party, it means our nascent democracy is under an infernal threat.
These attacks were not only criminal acts against individuals but also a direct affront to the core tenets of democracy: freedom of association, respect for divergent opinions, and the peaceful contest of ideas.
The fact that Comrade Salihu Mustapha was attacked while reading a communiqué that reaffirmed the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole candidate for the 2027 elections by stakeholders from the region adds a more dangerous political undertone.
It suggests that some actors within the party are willing to resort to violence to silence opinions they disagree with, a misnomer in the context of electoral democracy.
If such violence is allowed to go unpunished, it sets a dangerous precedent that could embolden anti-democratic elements within and outside the APC to dangerously thrive.
Political disagreements, no matter how intense, must be resolved through dialogue, legal channels, and internal party mechanisms, not brute force.
The attack on the APC leadership is not just an internal matter; it is a threat to Nigeria’s democratic process and political stability.
It is, therefore, imperative that the national secretariat of the APC, in collaboration with security agencies, immediately investigate both the immediate and remote causes of the fracas.
The identities of the perpetrators must be uncovered, and those responsible for the inglorious and shameful act regardless of their political status or affiliations, must face the full weight of the law.
Impunity must not be allowed to fester. Turning a blind eye or resorting to political compromise in the face of violence will only embolden future offenders and weaken public confidence in the party’s ability to lead by example.
Political parties are the bedrock of any democracy. Their strength lies not just in their electoral victories but in their ability to maintain internal discipline, foster healthy debate, and uphold democratic values.
This includes allowing members the freedom to associate with any candidate, or idea without fear of intimidation or attack.
Supporters of President Tinubu or any other candidate have every constitutional right to express their preference without fear of intimidation. Equally, those who may disagree with such endorsements have every right to freely express their preferences through democratic means not violent disruptions.
The APC must remember that the Nigerian people are watching. If the ruling party cannot guarantee safety, civility, and order at its own meetings, it loses the moral authority to govern a nation striving for unity and progress.
Such makes it imperative for the party not to allow this matter to be swept under the carpet for the fear of backlash or political repercussions.
This serves as a clarion call on APC leadership, President Tinubu and the relevant security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to address the matter with impetus and transparency.
The time to draw a clear line between politics and violence is now. We must reiterate that for the sake of Nigeria’s democracy, peace, and the future of political decency, this shameful act must not be swept under the carpet.
That is why we must commend the APC leadership in Adamawa State for swiftly condemning the nefarious act. We equally implore the national secretariat to follow suit so as to show that acts of sabotage and brigandage are not tolerated by the party.
Democracy must not bleed under the boots of political thuggery.
