The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied allegations of sponsoring the disruption of a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Oregun area of Lagos State.
The party described the allegation as baseless and accused the NDC of attempting to shift responsibility for the incident by blaming the ruling party without presenting credible evidence.
The denial followed an attack on NDC supporters on Thursday when suspected thugs, armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones, invaded the venue of the party’s town hall meeting, disrupted proceedings and forced participants to flee.
One of the suspected attackers was reportedly apprehended by participants and beaten.
The incident occurred ahead of the scheduled appearance of the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, at the meeting.
However, in a statement on Thursday, the Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, said it was curious that the incident occurred on the same day the party held the official flag-off of its 2027 campaign in Epe, several kilometres away from Ikeja.
Oladejo said the party’s leaders, elected representatives, executives, campaign officials and other stakeholders were mobilised to Epe for the campaign event.
He argued that it was therefore inconceivable that the party would abandon its own political engagement to concern itself with the activities of an opposition party.
“We consider this allegation not only reckless, baseless and irresponsible but also a desperate attempt to drag Lagos APC into an incident for which the accusers have presented no credible evidence linking the ruling party.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Lagos APC categorically rejects any insinuation of involvement, direct or indirect, in the alleged disruption of the said political gathering. We have neither sponsored, encouraged nor participated in any act capable of undermining the constitutional rights of any political party or group to assemble, deliberate and canvass for political support,” Oladejo said.
The APC spokesman said the party neither sponsored, encouraged nor participated in any action capable of undermining the constitutional rights of political groups to assemble and canvass for support.
He challenged the NDC to present any credible evidence linking individuals or groups to the attack to security agencies rather than make accusations through social media and public statements.
Oladejo also called on the Lagos State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to investigate the incident and take proactive measures to prevent political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged security agencies to take seriously what he described as increasingly bellicose rhetoric from some opposition quarters, warning that political ambition should not be used as a licence for lawlessness.
The APC spokesman maintained that the party remained committed to peaceful political engagement, issue-based campaigns and democratic competition.
He urged the NDC to stop looking for scapegoats and take responsibility for its political environment.
Meanwhile, Obi and the Lagos State NDC governorship candidate, Funsho Doherty, later arrived at the town hall meeting venue, despite the disruption.
Obi has been holding nationwide town hall engagements as part of activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor visited Jos, Plateau State, where he and members of his entourage paid a courtesy visit to the Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Da (Dr.) Jacob Gyang Buba.
He also visited Benue State on Wednesday, travelling from Makurdi to Gboko, where he paid a courtesy visit to the Tor Tiv.
