By Gloria Tochukwu Umeweni
What began as a routine political exercise at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secretariat in Gudu, Abuja, spiraled into a frightening episode of violence, alleged hostage-taking, and political intimidation that has once again raised serious concerns about insecurity, thuggery, and the dangers women face in Nigerian politics.
For Ireti Kingibe, the incident was more than a personal attack. It was, in her words, “a direct attack on democracy, the rule of law, and the safety of women participating in Nigerian politics.”
The lawmaker, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, recounted the disturbing events during a press statement delivered in Abuja on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
According to the senator, the violence erupted on Thursday, May 21, at the ADC State Secretariat located in Gudu, where she had gone in her official capacity to observe the transparent distribution of materials for the party’s National Assembly primary elections.
What was expected to be a peaceful and procedural exercise reportedly turned chaotic after the arrival of one Tijani Mubarak, who entered the venue accompanied by four men. Senator Kingibe said tension escalated almost immediately when the visitor allegedly became confrontational during an exchange with members of the electoral committee.
The situation degenerated when the chairman of the committee, Mr. Abubakar Adams Chika, was allegedly slapped by Mubarak after objecting to what was described as disrespectful conduct.
As confusion spread inside the secretariat, a female House of Representatives aspirant who attempted to record the incident on her mobile phone allegedly became the next target. According to the senator, the woman was violently attacked by the group, who attempted to seize her device.
In one of the most alarming moments of the incident, Kingibe alleged that the female aspirant was physically lifted off the ground while struggling to protect the phone, sustaining injuries in the process.
The senator herself was not spared.
Narrating her ordeal, Kingibe said one of the men turned on her and violently pushed her against a wall, causing severe impact to her head. She disclosed that her security aides had to physically intervene to prevent further assault.
What followed, according to eyewitness accounts shared by the senator, resembled a siege rather than a political disagreement.
She alleged that the assailants locked the doors of the office, trapping party officials, aspirants, and supporters inside the building. Outside, supporters reportedly struggled desperately to gain access and rescue those trapped within.
The senator described the act of locking the exits and fleeing with the keys as evidence of a “premeditated ambush” designed to hold occupants hostage and inflict maximum harm.
The dramatic rescue effort reportedly intensified as supporters eventually forced open the doors and created an escape route for the senator and another party member, Dr. Fatima Goya.
Even after escaping the upstairs office, the danger was far from over.
Kingibe said the attackers had also blocked the main gate with a vehicle, preventing vehicles and individuals from leaving the premises. It was only after a prolonged confrontation between supporters and the alleged thugs that the situation eased.
The senator later reported the incident to the ADC National Headquarters before proceeding to the Apo Police Station in Abuja to file a formal complaint. Other members of the party’s electoral committee also reportedly submitted separate complaints to the police.
The aftermath of the assault, however, extended beyond the immediate chaos.
Kingibe disclosed that she later developed severe headaches and blurred vision, prompting her visit to Wuse General Hospital, where doctors reportedly diagnosed her with serious head trauma following medical examinations and X-rays.
Beyond the physical injuries, the incident has reignited debate about the increasing normalization of violence within Nigeria’s political culture, especially during internal party activities.
Political observers say the incident underscores the fragile state of internal party democracy and the persistent use of intimidation as a political weapon.
For many women in politics, the attack also represents a painful reminder of the hostility and risks female politicians continue to face in male-dominated political spaces.
As one of the few women currently serving in the Nigerian Senate, Kingibe used the occasion to demand accountability and stronger protection for women participating in politics.
She called on the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police to immediately arrest and prosecute all those allegedly involved in the attack, including the alleged mastermind and his accomplices.
The senator also demanded a comprehensive investigation into what she described as a coordinated conspiracy involving assault, hostage-taking, and political thuggery.
Significantly, she warned against allowing violence to become an accepted tool for silencing dissent or influencing political outcomes within party structures.
Observers note that the incident comes at a sensitive period in Nigeria’s political landscape as parties prepare for future electoral contests and internal realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
For supporters of democratic reforms, the events at the ADC secretariat represent a dangerous signal that political violence remains deeply embedded in the country’s system despite repeated calls for civility and electoral reform.
Yet amid the fear and injuries, Kingibe struck a defiant tone.
Addressing residents of the FCT, she insisted that the attack would not deter her from carrying out her constitutional responsibilities or speaking out against injustice.
“I am shaken but entirely unbowed,” she declared.
Her words now echo beyond the walls of the ADC secretariat — serving both as a warning about the dangers confronting Nigeria’s democracy and as a rallying call against political violence, intimidation, and the shrinking safety of women in public leadership.