Suspected Thugs Burn ADC Ward Office in Amaechi’s Hometown Ahead of Party Registration

Suspected political thugs have reportedly set fire to a ward office of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ubima community, the hometown of former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, just hours before Amaechi was scheduled to formally register with the party at the ward level.

Residents said the attackers arrived at dawn and set the ADC ward office ablaze. The fire reportedly destroyed several items in the building, including party documents and materials used for local political activities.

Some members of the community alleged that the attackers were loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Wike and Amaechi are long-standing political rivals in Rivers State and both previously served as governors of the oil-producing state.

A resident who spoke about the incident described it as a calculated act carried out ahead of Amaechi’s planned political activity in the area.

According to the resident, thugs believed to be loyal to Wike set the ADC office on fire in Ubima early Friday, shortly before Amaechi’s expected party registration.

The facility was said to contain materials meant for party mobilisation and activities in the community. By the time residents discovered the fire, the building had already been badly damaged.

Sources in the community said the attack has heightened tension among residents and political supporters who had gathered in anticipation of Amaechi’s formal registration into the ADC at the ward level.

No casualties were reported as of the time of filing this report. However, the destruction of the party office has further intensified the already charged political atmosphere in the state.

Amaechi, who previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, remains one of the most influential political figures from Rivers State, with his political moves continuing to attract attention across the state, particularly in his hometown of Ubima.