• Party says violence aimed at intimidating opposition ahead of 2027 pollsÂ
•APC campaign council condemns attacks, demands arrest of offenders
Many people were injured, yesterday, when suspected thugs stormed a town hall meeting organised by supporters of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at the Oregun area of Lagos State.
The attackers, who were reportedly armed with cutlasses, cudgels, and stones, invaded the venue while the meeting was in progress, forcing participants to abandon the gathering and run for safety.
No guns were used.
The unprovoked attack was said to have disrupted proceedings, as supporters scrambled to escape and ran in different directions.
But the party faithful were said to have reconvened later to challenge the attackers, a situation that led to a brawl, forcing residents of the area to flee for their lives.
Print Media gathered that the thugs attacked the Classic Event Place, Oregun, venue, where the presidential candidate of NDC, Mr Peter Obi, was supposed to address supporters alongside his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
NDC House of Representatives candidate for Ikeja Federal Constituency, Mr Joseph Orukpe, said the meeting was called to make preparations for Obi and Kwankwaso’s official rally in Lagos, and they were not expected at the venue.
Most of the thugs, reportedly, escaped, but one was apprehended and beaten before being handed over to the police.
The apprehended man, who identified himself as Ibrahim, insisted that he was not sent by anyone but was at the venue to solicit money.
Although all kinds of weapons were freely used during the attack, none was found on Ibrahim.
Violence Aimed at Intimidating Opposition
NDC condemned the attack, describing the incident as an assault on democratic rights, and demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
The opposition party alleged that some of its supporters were injured at the gathering, warning that the growing incidence of  political violence can undermine democratic participation and discourage Nigerians from exercising their constitutional rights ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement by the spokesperson of NDC National Campaign Council, Dr. Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, the party expressed sympathy with those injured and wished them a speedy recovery.
NDC described the incident as an unacceptable assault on democracy, citizens’ fundamental rights, and freedom of political association, insisting that no political party or group has the right to use violence to suppress opposing political voices.
It demanded an immediate investigation into the incident, the arrest and prosecution of the alleged perpetrators, as well as decisive action to address what it described as the dangerous culture of political violence in some states.
“No political party or group has a monopoly on Nigeria, and no one has the right to use violence, intimidation or thuggery to silence opposing voices,” she said.
