“Attack undermines democracy” – ADC reacts as hoodlums disrupt party’s event in Lagos

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress in Lagos state, Olalekan Anjolaiya, has condemned the  attack on members of the party who recently defected from the Labour Party.

The incident occurred on Saturday during a ceremony organised to formally welcome former Labour Party members into the ADC in Alimosho local government area of Lagos.

Witnesses said hoodlums, numbering more than 100, stormed the first venue at the Labour Party office in Idimu and chased members, including party officials, out of the premises.

The attackers were said to have wielded weapons such as knives and canes and assaulted those they caught during the chaos.

Some party members reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack.

Party officials later relocated the event to an alternative venue at the Eco Centre Event in Egbeda.

Olanrewaju Olushola, chairman of the Labour Party in Alimosho, described the attack on his members as unwarranted.

Moses Akujuobi, secretary of the party in Alimosho, said police had earlier stopped plans for the open ceremony on the grounds that approval had not been obtained.

Akujuobi said they contacted Abaniwonda, Area M Commander, who reportedly told them that only the commissioner of police could approve political events.

He alleged that heavily armed policemen arrived in vans at the second venue shortly after the hoodlums left and sealed off the location.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Anjolaiya described the incident as a “violent attack” on citizens exercising their democratic rights.

He said the attack was “not only an assault on innocent citizens but a direct affront to democracy and the constitutional rights of Nigerians”.

Anjolaiya criticised the alleged role of the police, saying sealing off the venue “on instructions from above” was unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.

“The police are constitutionally mandated to protect lives, property, and lawful political activities — not to suppress or obstruct them,” he said.

He alleged that police conduct during the incident reinforced perceptions of selective policing and political bias in Lagos.

Anjolaiya also recalled a similar attack on supporters of Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour during his affirmation event in the state.

He cited section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, saying it guarantees the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of association.

“Political participation, including the decision to decamp from one political party to another, is a lawful and democratic process that must be respected and protected by all state institutions,” he said.

“The use of violence, intimidation, and state apparatus to stifle political choice undermines our democracy and sets a dangerous precedent,” he added.

Anjolaiya said democracy could only thrive when political competition was conducted “without fear, coercion, or violence”.

“We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated. The democratic rights of Nigerians must be upheld at all times,” he said.