The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has condemned the attack on supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) during a town hall meeting in Lagos State, urging security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible.
The attack occurred on Thursday at the Classique Event Centre in the Oregun area of Lagos, where suspected hoodlums armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones reportedly invaded the venue and disrupted the gathering.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Alake, described the incident as condemnable, while expressing concern over the growing cases of violence targeting political gatherings across the country.
Alake said the council had observed a recent wave of attacks on political events in different parts of the country, including Edo, Cross River and Gombe states.
He specifically condemned the disruption of the NDC town hall meeting in Lagos, describing political violence against supporters and leaders of any political party as unacceptable.
The statement read, “We have observed the recent spate of violent attacks at political gatherings in parts of the country. The reported attacks in Edo, Cross River, and Gombe, and other violence targeted at party supporters and political leaders across party lines are condemnable.
“Our campaign strongly condemns the disruption of today’s scheduled town hall meeting of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos.”
The APC campaign council spokesperson called on political parties, politicians and their supporters to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of triggering public disorder as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
He also urged security agencies to strengthen efforts to prevent political violence and ensure that those behind the attacks are brought to justice.
“We call on the security agencies to be more responsive and alert in preventing political violence of any type and ensure instigators and perpetrators are apprehended and punished in accordance with the law,” Alake added.
He further advised political parties and their candidates to focus their campaigns on issues that would improve the living conditions of Nigerians rather than engaging in activities capable of inciting violence at political gatherings.
The incident disrupted the NDC town hall meeting in Oregun, where supporters of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had assembled.
The suspected attackers reportedly stormed the venue at about 11 a.m., forcing participants to flee for safety.
A multimedia journalist with TheCable, Samuel Adebanjo, was also reportedly attacked during the incident. The assailants allegedly assaulted him and carted away his camera, gimbal and microphone.
Police operatives arrived at the scene about an hour after the violence started and reportedly fired tear gas canisters to disperse the attackers and restore order.
The APC’s condemnation comes amid growing concerns over political violence and the need to guarantee the safety of political parties, candidates, journalists and supporters as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.
