A rally organised by the Lagos State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Alimosho turned violent on Saturday after suspected political thugs stormed the venue.
The rally, held at Lion Field, was organised to welcome Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the party’s governorship flag bearer in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour. It was also meant to sensitise residents on voter registration ahead of the 2027 elections.
Eyewitnesses said the hoodlums invaded shortly after the programme began, dispersing participants and inflicting injuries. Policemen deployed to the area were reportedly overwhelmed as the attackers went on the rampage.
Despite disruptions, Rhodes-Vivour went ahead with his planned defection to the ADC. He condemned the attacks, insisting the gathering was constitutional.
“We are not holding a political rally but a political meeting, which we have rights to do. We will meet with the Commissioner of Police to understand the role of his men,” he said.
The Lagos State APC denied involvement in the violence. Its Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, said the opposition was divided and accused it of “looking for excuses ahead of 2027.”
Civil society groups and the ADC, however, condemned the incident. Pro-democracy advocate Olatorera Majekodunmi-Oniru described it as part of a long pattern of political intimidation in Lagos. The ADC, in a statement by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, called the attack “a desecration of democratic space” and urged police to rise above partisan interests.
