The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, over recent comments linking rising kidnappings in northern Nigeria to political manoeuvring, describing the remarks as “insensitive, careless and deeply disturbing”.
In a statement posted on X by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the governor of peddling conspiracy theories at a time when families across the country are grieving abducted relatives.
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The controversy erupted after Governor Okpebholo reportedly told journalists: “They are kidnapping people because somebody wants to win election, it’s not fair. They did this to former President Jonathan and they succeeded, but we know their trick already.”
The comment appeared to suggest that insecurity, particularly kidnappings in the North, is being deliberately orchestrated for electoral advantage an allegation reminiscent of claims made during the build-up to the 2015 general election when then-opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari accused the Goodluck Jonathan administration of incompetence amid rampant Boko Haram attacks and abductions.
Abdullahi, however, described the governor’s statement as evidence of a troubling mindset within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Many families are still grieving, still hoping and praying for the safe return of their loved ones,” he wrote.
“Yet instead of giving them answers or reassurance, this APC government is busy spinning fancy conspiracy theories.”
The ADC spokesman further questioned the governor’s grasp of the implications of his words, pointedly noting: “The very person who led the weaponisation of insecurity to discredit former President Goodluck Jonathan is the same man in power today.”
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Although he did not mention President Bola Tinubu by name, the reference was widely understood.
“When government replaces hard evidence and real intelligence with baseless accusations and conspiracy theories,” Abdullahi continued, “you know that we have a serious problem on our hands.”
The ADC called on the APC-led federal and state governments to focus on delivering tangible security solutions rather than engaging in what it termed “shameful” deflection and blame-shifting.
