The National Leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), on Saturday, reassured members and the general public of its commitment to restoring the integrity and glory of the party, which it said had been infiltrated by individuals described as “political vagabonds and refugees.”

The party warned those involved in unauthorised congresses and other illegal activities to desist or face legal action.

In a statement by the Acting National Chairman of the ADC, Hon. Nafiu Bala, the party leadership condemned the activities of persons allegedly parading themselves as members and leaders of the ADC without proper registration or recognition.

According to Hon. Bala, the infiltration of such individuals into the party brought negative traits that disrupted the once-peaceful structure of the ADC.

Bala said: “The National Leadership of the African Democratic Congress, the general public, particularly the faithful members of our esteemed party, ADC, should note that the bonafide leaders of this great party are working assiduousl,y leaving no stone unturned in restoring the glory of the party hitherto infiltrated by political vagabonds, who sneaked into the party through the back door.

“The infiltration of these political refugees into our great party infested the party with those notorious characteristics they are known for, to wit, confusing party members as witnessed in the burning of party offices in Ekiti State and Kaduna State.”

He noted that these elements have a history of imposing leadership arbitrarily, thereby causing unrest and disunity wherever they operate.

He added, “ADC leadership wishes to make it clear that these elements who parambulate as party members without registration to forthwith desist from tampering with the hitherto peaceful ADC structure. ADC is not a refugee camp where political vagabonds sneak in without protocols.

“The leadership wishes to inform this calibre of people to desist from calling kangaroo congresses in the name of the party, having not yet been recognised as bona fide party members, to avoid attracting legal action against them.”

The Guardian reported that the ADC described the attack on its Ekiti State Secretariat in Ado-Ekiti as a deliberate act of political terrorism aimed at further silencing opposition voices.

The party confirmed the attack, which occurred hours before the party’s scheduled Reconfiguration and Affirmation Ceremony in the state, emphasising that the pattern of violence against its members and infrastructure across the country has reached a disturbing level.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC called for an independent investigation, the prosecution of perpetrators, and greater attention from civil society and international observers, warning that democracy is under threat if opposition parties continue to be targeted with impunity.