Lagos APC Denies Attack On NDC Town Hall

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has dismissed allegations that it sponsored the attack on a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in the Oregun area of the state.

The ruling party described the accusation as unfounded, alleging that the opposition party was attempting to blame it for the incident without providing credible evidence of its involvement.

The denial followed an attack on NDC supporters on Thursday, when suspected hoodlums armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones stormed the venue of the party’s town hall meeting, disrupted the gathering and sent participants fleeing.

One of the suspected attackers was reportedly seized by participants and beaten during the incident.

The attack happened shortly before the scheduled arrival of the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, at the meeting.

However, reacting to the development in a statement on Thursday, the Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, questioned the allegation, pointing out that the incident occurred on the same day the ruling party officially launched its 2027 campaign in Epe, several kilometres away from Oregun.

According to him, the party had mobilised its leaders, elected representatives, executives, campaign officials and other stakeholders to attend the campaign flag-off in Epe.

He argued that it was unreasonable to suggest that the APC would abandon its own political engagement to interfere with an opposition party’s gathering.

Oladejo said, “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.”

The APC spokesman challenged the NDC to submit any evidence capable of establishing a link between the attackers and the ruling party to the appropriate security authorities instead of making allegations through social media and public statements.

He also urged the Lagos State Police Command, the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies to investigate the incident and strengthen security measures against political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Oladejo further called on security agencies to pay attention to what he described as increasingly aggressive rhetoric from some opposition figures, warning that political ambitions should not justify acts of lawlessness.

He maintained that the APC remained committed to peaceful political activities, issue-based campaigns and democratic competition.

The spokesman also urged the NDC to stop searching for scapegoats and accept responsibility for maintaining order within its political environment.

Meanwhile, Obi and the Lagos State NDC governorship candidate, Funsho Doherty, later arrived at the venue of the town hall meeting despite the disruption.