Accord urges police to probe attack on NDC supporters in Lagos

Lagos State Chairman of the Accord Party, Mr Dele Oladeji, has urged the state government and police command to take decisive action against rising political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Oladeji, who is also the party’s Lagos West Senatorial Candidate, said the attack on supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Oregun, Ikeja, on Thursday was a dangerous development capable of undermining the state’s security infrastructure.

PUNCH Online reported that suspected political thugs armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones invaded a New Democratic Congress town hall meeting in Ikeja, Lagos, scattering chairs and forcing participants to flee.

NDC blames APC for Lagos attack, ruling party denies involvement

Supporters of the NDC reportedly resisted the attackers, triggering a clash during which chairs were thrown at the invading group.

The NDC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of promoting political violence and attempting to undermine democracy. However, the APC denied involvement in the attack, called on the police to arrest those responsible and advised the opposition party to resolve its internal disputes.

Oladeji made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos, while reacting to the attack on NDC supporters during their town hall meeting at Classic Event Place, Ikeja, on Thursday.

He described the incident as unfortunate, saying political violence, which had previously been experienced during campaign activities, was now assuming a more dangerous dimension.

“It is quite unfortunate that we are experiencing this violence now. The 2027 campaigns have been characterised by pockets of violence. Many times, opposition has been targeted.

“It is taking another dimension now; thugs are even going to meet opposition parties at even their event venues,” he said.

Oladeji cited alleged instances where opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, were denied access to venues for their political activities.

He said such incidents included venues being locked down or access denied to opposition parties at the last minute.

“Sometimes, party members are denied access to the location at the very last minute. We have seen a lot of this. Most times, the police don’t act,” he said.

The Accord chairman warned that the failure of security agencies to address political violence could worsen insecurity and endanger both residents and security personnel.

Oladeji disclosed that political violence was discussed at two emergency meetings involving political stakeholders and security authorities earlier in the week.

He said the State Director of the Department of State Services invited political stakeholders to an emergency meeting on Tuesday over rising political attacks in Lagos.

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“On Tuesday, we were at the office of the State Security Service. The State Director called us to an emergency meeting about the rising political attacks in Lagos State because he has been receiving some petitions on his table from political parties.

“We discussed this extensively, and he promised to take immediate action to curtail further decline in security in Lagos State,” he said.

He added that the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State also convened a strategic emergency meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 11, to address political attacks and violence.

According to him, the meeting also considered the vandalisation of political parties’ billboards and posters, with petitions reportedly submitted by some political parties.

“In our strategic emergency meeting with INEC, the only subject of discussion was still political attack and violence.

“Vandalisation of political parties’ billboards and posters and other issues were robustly discussed,” he said.

Oladeji said the INEC chairman promised to engage security agencies on measures to ensure peaceful political activities and a safe electoral process.

He, however, expressed disappointment that another attack occurred barely 48 hours after the meetings.

“It is not disappointing that just 48 hours after, this is happening again,” he said.

On the exchange of accusations between the APC and NDC over the incident, Oladeji said the location of the attack was significant, as it occurred inside an enclosed event venue rather than during a political procession.

Although he said he would not conclusively apportion blame, Oladeji insisted that the APC had questions to answer over the presence of its members or supporters at the NDC event.

Oladeji urged the Lagos State Government and the Commissioner of Police to take urgent measures to prevent further deterioration of security and political violence.

“It is important that the governor of Lagos State and the police commissioner of Lagos State need to rise up and take drastic action.

“This is necessary to forestall and to mitigate against further breakdown of law and order,” he said.

He warned that although the situation had not yet resulted in reported fatalities, failure to act promptly could lead to loss of lives.

“We are still lucky. Things are still normal. Before it starts to claim lives, before we start to have casualties, let us act now ,” he said.

NAN