RismadarVoice Reporters
November 12, 2026
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have traded accusations following an attack by suspected political thugs on an opposition town hall meeting in Ikeja, Lagos State, on Thursday.
The incident occurred at the Classique Event Centre in Oregun, where NDC supporters had gathered ahead of a political meeting involving the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that suspected hoodlums armed with cutlasses, sticks and stones invaded the venue around 11 a.m., disrupting preparations and forcing participants to flee.
The confrontation escalated when some NDC supporters resisted the attackers, reportedly throwing chairs and other objects.
Several vehicles were damaged, while the disturbance spread to Kudirat Abiola Way, disrupting traffic.
One suspected attacker was reportedly apprehended and assaulted by members of the crowd.
Police officers subsequently intervened to restore order, although reports differed on whether gunshots or tear gas were used.
Reacting, NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, condemned the incident and accused the ruling APC of encouraging political intimidation.
He described the attack as unacceptable and called for accountability.
Similarly, the NDC Campaign Council spokesperson, Dr Constance Ikokwu, condemned the violence, saying political differences should not prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional rights.
Ikokwu demanded an investigation and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
She maintained that political parties and their supporters must be allowed to organise meetings and participate in elections without threats or intimidation.
However, the Lagos APC rejected allegations that it sponsored or participated in the attack.
Its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, described the accusation as unfounded, arguing that party leaders and supporters were attending an APC campaign event in Epe when the incident occurred.
Oladejo challenged the NDC to provide evidence linking the ruling party to the violence rather than making allegations without proof.
The incident also affected journalists covering the event.
TheCable reported that one of its multimedia journalists, Samuel Adebanjo, was physically assaulted and had his camera, microphone and other equipment stolen during the disturbance.
Meanwhile, the identities of the attackers and any individuals who may have organised or financed the violence remain unconfirmed.
The incident has prompted renewed calls for security agencies to protect political gatherings and ensure that those responsible for election-related violence are investigated and prosecuted.
