Thugs Disrupt NDC Meeting in Lagos, Damage Cars

Suspected political thugs attacked a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall meeting in Ikeja, Lagos State, on Thursday. They disrupted the gathering, attacked party supporters, and damaged vehicles at the venue.

The trouble started while preparations for the meeting were in full swing. The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was reportedly on his way to the venue when the attack happened.

Videos on social media showed people with sticks and chairs confronting NDC supporters. Some supporters fought back, but gunshots fired into the air made many people run for safety.

Several cars were damaged during the chaos. NDC supporters managed to catch one of the suspected attackers.

In a video shared by News Central TV, the man said he went to the venue to ask for money. "I did not come to do anything. I only came to beg for money," he said.

It was unclear who brought him to the venue or if he was part of the attack. The identities of the others involved and how many were hurt were also not known at that moment.

PREMIUM TIMES tried to contact Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, by phone, but there was no response.

This incident raised alarms about attacks on opposition parties and their supporters as the 2027 general elections approach.

On 10 November, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) expressed worries about political violence and intimidation aimed at opposition politicians, their supporters, and campaign activities.

The organization mentioned incidents involving Mr Obi, African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, and an African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State.

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room reported 70 election-related incidents across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory between 1 January and 27 October, based on the CLEEN Foundation’s Election Security Threat Assessment. The report noted 27 deaths in 20 incidents and identified campaign rallies and party offices as targets.

Mr Obi’s supporters reported that his convoy was attacked in Calabar, Cross River State, on 4 November, while he was heading to an NDC town hall meeting.

Suspected hoodlums attacked the convoy near the Watt Market area, throwing stones, bottles, and other objects at the vehicles. The Cross River State Police Command later announced the arrest of a 27-year-old suspect, Victor Edet Yellow Duke, linked to the incident.

In Delta State, NDC supporters were attacked on Wednesday during a campaign mobilization in Okpai community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area. Some supporters were hurt, and a campaign vehicle was damaged.

A video shared by social media user Chuks Eric featured a narrator accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring the attackers, claiming they blocked the road to stop the NDC campaign team from entering the community.

The narrator asked why opposition parties should be stopped from holding political activities in a democracy.