Tope AbdurRazaq Balogun, Action Alliance (AA) 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, condemned the attack, saying it was an attempt to suppress citizens’ political rights. He argued that Nigeria’s political system thrives on force, where the strong stifle the weak, leaving no room for opposition voices.
“In every democracy, opposition must play an active role to keep the ruling party accountable,” Balogun said, lamenting that the current government resists any form of criticism.
Drawing a parallel with traditional systems, Balogun said Nigeria’s culture still treats leaders as unquestionable kings. “In a democracy, leaders should be held accountable, not praised regardless of their actions,” he added.
Balogun argued that intimidation only amounts to terrorism and oppression. “If people want to vote against you, they will still do so. Suppressing them won’t alter the result,” he said.
Referencing Last presidential election results, Balogun noted the ruling party lost in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano state despite heavy political manoeuvres. “Rather than intimidation, what’s needed is genuine governance,” he stressed.
He warns that continued intimidation harms the ruling party’s credibility. Adding that good governance makes it harder for the opposition to gain ground. “These oppressive acts only drag the ruling party lower. Innocent bystanders were injured in this attack—an appalling outcome,” Balogun said.
Balogun concluded that governance, not violence, remains the true key to electoral victory. “Good governance is the only pathway to lasting success in elections,” he affirmed.
Background of the Incident
Miscreants, suspected to be political thugs, disrupted a rally organised by the Lagos chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at Lion Field, Alimosho. The event was meant to welcome Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Lagos governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, while also sensitising residents on voter registration ahead of the 2027 polls.
Shortly after commencement, thugs believed to be loyal to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) stormed the venue, attacking participants and leaving several with injuries. Police officers deployed to the scene were quickly overwhelmed as chaos spread.
Despite this, Rhodes-Vivour pressed on with his defection to the ADC, stressing the constitutional right to hold political meetings. He vowed to confront the Lagos Commissioner of Police over the role of officers present.
The APC, however, denied involvement, with its Lagos Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo insisting the opposition was using the incident as an excuse for internal failures.
Meanwhile, pro-democracy advocate Olatorera Majekodunmi-Oniru condemned the violence, warning that Lagos politics has long been plagued by authoritarian practices. She compared the incident to past state-backed crackdowns, including #EndSARS, saying democracy cannot thrive where dissent is crushed.
The ADC also issued a strong statement, describing the attack as “a desecration by a jittery ruling party” and called on the police to prove their neutrality by acting decisively.
