Suspected thugs attack NDC town hall venue in Lagos, damage vehicles - Premium Times Nigeria

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

The attack occurred while preparations were underway for the meeting, with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, reportedly on his way to the venue.

Videos circulating on social media showed people wielding sticks and chairs as they confronted NDC supporters. Some supporters fought back, while gunshots reportedly fired into the air sent people scrambling for safety.

Several vehicles were damaged during the confrontation, while NDC supporters reportedly apprehended one of the suspected attackers.

In a video shared by News Central TV, the apprehended man said he had gone to the venue to ask for money.

“I did not come to do anything. I only came to beg for money,” he stated.

It was unclear who brought him to the venue or whether he was involved in the attack. The identities of the other people involved and the extent of injuries sustained were also not immediately known.

PREMIUM TIMES’ attempt to reach the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, by phone call for comments were unsuccessful.

The incident came amid growing concerns about attacks on opposition parties and their supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On 10 November, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) raised concerns about political violence and intimidation targeting opposition politicians, supporters and campaign activities.

The organisation cited 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, citing the CLEEN Foundation’s Election Security Threat Assessment, reported 70 physical election-related incidents across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory between 1 January and 27 October. The assessment recorded 27 deaths in 20 incidents and identified campaign rallies and party offices among the targets.

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

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

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

In a video shared by social media user Chuks Eric, a narrator accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring the attackers, alleging that they blocked the road to prevent the NDC campaign team from entering the community.

The narrator questioned why opposition parties should be prevented from carrying out political activities in a democracy.

In a separate incident in Lagos, an AAC candidate for the state House of Assembly, Ishola Shina, accused suspected APC loyalists of destroying his party’s campaign banner in Oworonshoki.

Mr Shina, who is seeking to represent Kosofe Constituency I in the 2027 elections, said the banner featured photographs of prominent party figures, including Mr Sowore.

He described its destruction as an attempt to intimidate opposition candidates and called on the Lagos State Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect political parties from intimidation.

The reported attacks follow violence at a rally organised by the Obedient/OK Movement in Asaba, Delta State, on 7 November in support of Mr Obi’s presidential bid on the NDC platform.

One person died, and five others were injured during the incident, the Delta State Police Command confirmed.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Bright Edafe, the command said it had received intelligence suggesting the possibility of violence before the rally and advised the organisers against holding an open-road procession.

The police said the organisers ignored the advice and proceeded with the event. It added that investigations had begun to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.