APC dismisses ADC allegations as delusional, demands probe of Edo shooting...

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) linking it to the recent shooting incident in Edo State.

In a press statement issued in Abuja on Thursday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party accused the ADC of rushing to judgment without allowing law enforcement agencies to conclude investigations.

The APC said the ADC’s February 25 statement blaming the ruling party for the incident was “utterly delusional” and showed a lack of respect for due process.

“Accusing the APC even before any investigation is carried out by law enforcement is particularly senseless,” the statement read.

The party added that by making such claims, the ADC had positioned itself as “the accuser, investigator, prosecutor, and judge in its own cause.”

The APC further questioned the ADC’s capacity to manage national security issues, stating that “a party that cannot manage a single incident with proper guidance and maturity” could not be trusted with Nigeria’s complex security challenges.

The ruling party also faulted the ADC’s reference to “acts of terrorism by the ruling APC,” describing the characterization as reckless and unjustifiable.

According to the APC, such language showed insensitivity to the sacrifices of Nigerian security forces battling terrorism across the country.

“It’s flippant accusation clearly shows that the ADC is out of touch with the prevailing realities of the country’s war on terror,” the statement added.

While condemning violence in the political space, the APC called on the police and other security agencies to conduct a thorough and expeditious investigation into the Edo incident and bring perpetrators to justice.

The party, however, urged investigators to scrutinise the ADC, its leaders and members as possible suspects, citing reported internal leadership struggles within the opposition party.

“The ADC cannot smear our great Party with a violent incident of its own exclusive making,” the APC said.

The APC maintained that it had no interest in the alleged incident, stating that it was focused on consolidating recent electoral victories.

“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,” the statement read.

The party expressed appreciation to voters in the FCT, Kano and Rivers States for what it described as a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

It reaffirmed its commitment to building “a stronger, more resilient and prosperous country for the good of all Nigerians.”