Tension has risen in parts of Kaduna State following reported clashes between supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The incidents reportedly involved the destruction of vehicles, party offices, campaign banners and other campaign materials.
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ADC supporters attacked at Dakande
Manasseh Istifanus, the ADC candidate for Kaduna State House of Assembly in Zangon Kataf Constituency, said his party’s supporters were attacked at Dakande Toll Gate.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Tuesday, Mr Istifanus said the supporters had gathered peacefully to welcome the party’s governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru, following his return from Umrah when they were allegedly attacked by thugs.
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He described the incident as “shameful and reprehensible”, saying it amounted to an attack on innocent citizens and an affront to democracy, freedom of association and the right of citizens to participate peacefully in political activities.
Mr Istifanus urged security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
“Politics should be about ideas, service, persuasion, and the will of the people; not violence, intimidation, and thuggery,” he said.
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Damaged cars paraded
The ADC also accused APC supporters of attacking its members and damaging their vehicles.
Awwal Gezau, a prominent ADC member, said on Facebook that supporters waiting to receive Mr Ashiru had parked their vehicles around Maraban Jos, a town close to Kaduna, when men in Hilux vehicles and a bus allegedly arrived and began damaging the cars.
The ADC later paraded several damaged vehicles, which it attributed to the alleged attack.
The party also claimed that its team was attacked at Dakande while travelling to Kaduna for Mr Ashiru’s welcome.
The allegations had not been independently verified.
Campaign banners destroyed
The reported confrontation extended beyond vehicles, with political posters and banners destroyed in different parts of the state.
Among the damaged materials were banners bearing the images of Governor Uba Sani and President Bola Tinubu, alongside campaign materials associated with opposition activities.
The destruction has added to concerns over the conduct of political mobilisation as parties position themselves more aggressively ahead of the 2027 elections.
APC condemns attacks
The Kaduna APC, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Sani Dan Azare, condemned what it described as attacks on its members, vandalisation of party offices and offices belonging to its support groups.
The party alleged that vehicles within its premises were vandalised and that APC members and supporters were assaulted and intimidated in other parts of the state.
It called on the police and other security agencies to investigate the incidents impartially, establish what happened and take action against anyone found responsible based on credible evidence.
“Various claims and allegations have emerged in connection with these incidents,” Mr Dan Azare said, urging security agencies to examine all credible leads and relevant evidence.
He appealed to APC members and support groups to remain calm and avoid retaliation.
Kaduna’s 2027 contest
The counter allegations come amid increasing political activity in Kaduna ahead of the 2027 elections.
Mr Ashiru, who contested the 2023 governorship election on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, is now the ADC candidate, while Governor Uba Sani is seeking another term on the APC platform.
READ ALSO: Police, ADC supporters clash in Kaduna as 2027 campaigns begin
The APC said Kaduna had made significant progress in moving beyond the political, ethnic and religious tensions that previously affected the state and warned against actions capable of undermining those gains.
“No political contest is greater than the peace and security of Kaduna State. Let the facts be established. Let due process prevail. Let the law take its course,” Mr Dan Azare said.
As of Tuesday, there was no independent confirmation identifying those responsible for the reported attacks or publicly announced arrests arising from the incidents.
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