By Obinna Uballa
Suspected political thugs on Saturday reportedly attacked members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during a political event in Lagos, leaving one person critically injured.
The attack, which reportedly occurred after security operatives had earlier sealed off the original venue of the ADC gathering, targeted a second location arranged by the party.
According to eyewitness accounts, over 40 thugs stormed the venue and allegedly unleashed violence on attendees.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos who was present at the event, while confirming the incident in a video shared on social media alleged that his personal photographer was brutally macheted by the attackers and left unconscious before later being revived.
“The people that came are thugs and they were guided by the police. They macheted me and left me for dead. This is the height of it,” the victim recounted in the video.
In a statement, he said the police had sealed off Lion Field in Alimosho, the venue previously approved for the ADC event, describing the move as “an assault on democracy.”
“It is truly disappointing that the Lagos APC is abusing state institutions by sealing off the venue where the ADC was scheduled to hold a meeting after obtaining the necessary approvals,” Rhodes-Vivour stated.
“This is not only an abuse of power, it is a clear attempt to stifle opposition voices in Lagos. We understand that the APC is jittery about the momentum the ADC and Obidients are building across the state, but deploying state security agencies to frustrate lawful political activities is unacceptable and undemocratic.”
“Lagos belongs to all of us, not a select few. And it is our constitutional right to assemble lawfully. Let it be clear that no amount of intimidation or harassment will stop us from engaging with the people of Lagos. Our movement is powered by the people, and no barricade or show of force can weaken their resolve for a better Lagos,” he added.
In a similar video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Rhodes-Vivour, who had earlier visited the sealed venue, narrated what transpired.
“We are at Lion Field now at Alimosho. We are supposed to have our event tomorrow, on the 6th. As of yesterday, we heard that the police have taken over the field. We’ve come to see what’s going on because police are our friends and we believe they are here to protect us,” he said.
He added that he planned to meet the Lagos Commissioner of Police to resolve the issue.
“That’s why we are in a democracy and not under military rule. So, we are going to see the commissioner now, and by God’s grace, we will get a favourable response,” Rhodes-Vivour declared.
