The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted authorities of the federal capital development agency (FCDA) over an alleged move to seal its headquarters in Abuja.
The development is coming against the backdrop of the decision by the ADC National Executive Council (NEC) at its Special meeting held Thursday, 25th August 2022, under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the tenure of its national officers.
ADC’s National Director of Communications and Programs, Barr. Ifenla Oligbinde, in a statement, maintained that the move was a calculated attempt to undermine its electoral chances in the 2023 poll.
ADC particularly alleged that agents of the APC were working in concert with the authorities of the federal capital development agency (FCDA) to perpetrate the act.
The ADC described the unfolding development as a clear case of witch-hunt and intimidation adding it speaks volumes that the APC is in a panic mood over the party growing popularity and wide acceptability in the country.
The party warned that it would not succumb to the blackmail by the APC agents bent on sealing the national secretariat of the party under the pretence that it is situated in a commercial area.
It noted: Following on the resolution by the ADC National Executive Council (NEC) to extend the tenure of National officers of the party during the Special NEC Meeting held on Thursday, 25th August 2022, ADC has reported that the party’s steady progress towards the general elections has started ruffling several feathers.
“Some devious agents of other political parties have started using unscrupulous ways to intimidate or blackmail our party.
“Some unscrupulous persons have arranged to seal the premises of ADC under the pretence that ADC office is located in an area designated by FCDA as a non-commercial area.
“ADC is not a commercial or business enterprise and there has not been any area designated by the FCT or Development Control where political parties can situate their offices, as was done for embassies.
” The ADC Global Campus and Transformation Centre that serves as the party’s office, like many other political parties offices, is situated even in a more public place than most of the offices of APC/PDP.”
While warning that such intimidation will never succeed, the ADC said: “We have already dispatched a special letter to Mr President, the Inter-Party Advisory Commission and the minister of FCT to take steps towards addressing such witch hunting and most repressible actions of agents of darkness.”