LAGOS, Nigeria — The political climate in Lagos State has been shaken by an alleged violent incident during a defection ceremony for members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over the weekend. Olalekan Anjolaiya, a prominent ADC leader, condemned the disruption, which he said threatened the democratic process in the state.
According to reports, more than 100 unidentified assailants disrupted the ADC’s event, targeting former members of the Labour Party (LP). The chaotic scene unfolded at the LP’s office in Idimu, where party officials and supporters fled in fear as the attackers brandished various weapons, including knives and canes. Many attendees sustained injuries during the attack, highlighting the violent nature of the confrontation.
Despite the upheaval, ADC officials quickly organized an alternative venue for the defection ceremony at the Eco Centre Event in Egbeda. However, they alleged that the police intervened shortly after the attack by arriving with heavy security and sealing off the second location. LP officials expressed that they had previously sought police approval for their gathering but were told the commissioner was the only one who could authorize such events.
Anjolaiya did not hold back in his criticism of the situation, referring to the incident as a “violent attack” on the democratic rights of citizens. He described the actions of the attackers and the police response as not only concerning but as an affront to the constitutional rights guaranteed to Nigerians.
In his statement, Anjolaiya asserted that the law enforcement’s role should be to protect citizens and facilitate lawful political activities, rather than suppress them. He raised alarms about patterns of biased policing in Lagos, suggesting that the police have acted in ways that favor the ruling All Progressives Congress.
He highlighted that similar violence had previously occurred against supporters of the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate, adding to suspicions of selective enforcement by the police. Reinforcing his argument, Anjolaiya referenced the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees peaceful assembly and freedom of association as fundamental rights.
Anjolaiya emphasized the importance of protecting political participation and claimed that violence and intimidation undermine democracy, creating a perilous precedent. He urged that Nigeria must not devolve into a state where citizens face repercussions for their political affiliations, particularly when law enforcement appears either complicit or evasive.
“We must ensure that democracy flourishes, where public opinion is respected, dissent is encouraged, and political activities are free from fear and coercion,” he stated. Anjolaiya pledged that the ADC would remain unyielding in their pursuit of a more transparent and accountable governance system, insisting that the rights of Nigerian citizens must be upheld at all costs.
As political tensions escalate in Lagos, the ADC’s call for a peaceful and unrestrained political landscape resonates with observers cautiously watching the unfolding drama.