…House sets up three-week probe into nationwide political intimidation
…NDC demands arrest, prosecution of Lagos town hall attackers
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied involvement in the disruption of a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall meeting in Lagos, following calls by the House of Representatives and the opposition party for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Violence reportedly broke out when suspected political thugs attacked the NDC gathering in the Oregun area along Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja. Supporters had assembled at the venue to advance campaign activities for the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and its Lagos governorship hopeful, Funsho Doherty.
Reacting to the incident, the NDC national leadership condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on democratic principles and citizens’ freedom to associate politically. The party said the disruption was a calculated attempt to intimidate voters ahead of the 2027 general elections and called for the immediate identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) also condemned the violence in Lagos, alongside reported political clashes in Edo, Cross River and Gombe states. It called on security agencies to investigate the incidents and ensure that those found responsible are brought to justice.
However, the Lagos State chapter of the APC dismissed allegations linking the ruling party to the disruption in Ikeja. Its State Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, described the accusations as baseless and reckless propaganda, arguing that the incident occurred on the same day the party held a major official campaign flag-off in Epe, where its leaders and other stakeholders were present.
Oladejo challenged the opposition to submit credible evidence to the relevant security agencies, rather than resorting to what he described as a pattern of shifting blame.
The incident has added to concerns over political intimidation and violence, with similar cases reported in Enugu, Katsina, Nasarawa and Delta states. Against this background, the House of Representatives adopted a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the Minority Leader, Fred Agbedi, and 16 other lawmakers, to investigate the growing incidents of political violence across the country.
As part of its response, the House constituted an ad hoc committee headed by the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, to examine both the immediate triggers and underlying causes of the unrest. The committee is expected to submit its findings within three weeks.
The lawmakers’ intervention is intended to reinforce constitutional protections for peaceful assembly and ensure that Nigerians can participate in political activities without fear of intimidation, harassment or violence.
