Micah Jonah
February 1, 2026
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress ADC in Lagos State, Olalekan Anjolaiya, has condemned the alleged attack on newly defected party members during a defection ceremony in Alimosho Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that unidentified hoodlums disrupted the event organized to formally receive former members of the Labour Party into the ADC. The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday at the Labour Party office in the Idimu area of Lagos.
Witnesses said more than 100 hoodlums stormed the venue, causing panic and forcing party members and officials to flee for safety. The attackers were said to be armed with weapons including knives and canes and allegedly assaulted several attendees during the disruption.
It was gathered that some party members sustained varying degrees of injuries before the event was brought to an abrupt halt.
Despite the disruption, officials of both parties reportedly arranged an alternative venue at the Eco Centre Event in Egbeda to continue the programme.
Recounting the incident, the Labour Party chairman in Alimosho, Olanrewaju Olushola, popularly known as Heritage, described the attack as unwarranted and provocative.
The party’s secretary in the area, Moses Akujuobi, alleged that plans for the public defection ceremony had earlier been stopped by the police on the grounds that approval was not obtained. He said the Area M Commander, ACP Abaniwonda, reportedly informed them that only the Commissioner of Police could authorise political events.
He further claimed that heavily armed policemen later arrived at the second venue after the hoodlums had left, allegedly sealing off the location.
In a statement issued late Saturday, Mr Anjolaiya, popularly known as AEROSOFT, described the incident as a violent attack on innocent citizens exercising their democratic rights.
According to him, the attack represents a direct assault on democracy and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freely associate and participate in politics.
He also criticized the alleged role of the police, describing the sealing of the venue on what he called instructions from above as unacceptable in a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law.
Mr Anjolaiya said the police are constitutionally mandated to protect lives, property and lawful political activities, not to suppress or obstruct them.
He further alleged that similar incidents in Lagos have created perceptions of selective policing and political bias, citing past attacks on supporters of the Labour Party during political events in the state.
He stressed that Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of association and peaceful assembly, including the right of citizens to defect from one political party to another.
He warned that the use of violence, intimidation and state apparatus to stifle political choice undermines democracy and sets a dangerous precedent.
According to him, democracy can only thrive where the will of the people is respected and political participation is conducted without fear, coercion or violence.
He insisted that Nigerians must not be intimidated for exercising their political rights, adding that attempts to silence citizens would only strengthen the resolve of those committed to a freer, fairer and more accountable nation.
