Politics
NDC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Plot to Disrupt Abuja NEC Meeting
Preparations for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja have been overshadowed by allegations that unidentified men attempted to vandalise decorations at the event venue and threatened to disrupt the gathering.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday evening, October 25, at JD Event Centre, Abuja, where organisers were preparing for the party’s NEC meeting scheduled for Monday, October 26.
According to accounts from the organisers, the unidentified men allegedly attempted to pull down and destroy decorations arranged for the meeting. The organisers resisted the attempt, prompting the men to leave. They were subsequently alleged to have threatened to return and disrupt the proceedings.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, with the identities of the men, their motives and whether the matter was reported to the police yet to be established.
Reacting to the development, Dr Prince member of the committee, who is also an associated member, Northern Integrity Professionals (NIP), condemned the alleged action and called for respect for democratic rights.
“This is totally uncalled for. We are in a democratic setting, and everyone must be allowed to exercise their civic rights without intimidation,” he said.
Prince expressed concern over what he described as the deterioration of democratic practices, arguing that citizens and international observers must insist on respect for constitutional rights and democratic institutions.
He also questioned whether public officials were honouring the oaths they swore upon assuming office, stressing that such commitments should guide the exercise of public authority and serve as a basis for accountability.
The development comes amid previous reports of alleged attacks involving NDC members and supporters.
In September, the party reportedly alleged that suspected state-sponsored thugs disrupted a grassroots meeting in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
On October 22, an attack on the convoy of an NDC House of Assembly candidate in Ebonyi State reportedly left one person dead and three others injured, according to police. There were also reports of an attack on NDC supporters at Enugu airport in October.
No evidence has been established linking these earlier incidents to Sunday’s reported disturbance in Abuja.
Despite the allegations, the party is scheduled to proceed with a series of activities on Monday as it advances preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The NDC’s third NEC meeting is expected to begin at 10 a.m., with the presentation of the party’s statement of account by the National Treasurer among the items on the programme.
The party will subsequently commission its new national secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, at 2 p.m. At 5 p.m., it is scheduled to inaugurate its National Campaign Council and present Certificates of Return to candidates.
The planned activities are expected to draw attention as political parties step up preparations for the elections.
The alleged attempt to disrupt the meeting has renewed calls for peaceful political engagement, the protection of democratic institutions and respect for the constitutional rights of political parties to organise their activities without intimidation.