Nigerian opposition presidential candidate Peter Obi has vowed to continue his political campaign despite an attack on supporters and journalists at a town hall meeting organised by his party in Lagos, raising fresh concerns about political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Armed men carrying machetes, axes, sticks and other weapons stormed the event venue on Thursday, Nov. 12, attacking supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and journalists who had gathered ahead of Obi’s scheduled appearance.
The incident occurred at an event centre in the Oregun area of Ikeja, where supporters had assembled for a town hall meeting involving Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Neither candidate had arrived when the attackers struck.
Videos circulating on social media showed men forcing their way into the venue, damaging entrance doors and glass walls before clashes broke out between the attackers and party supporters.
The confrontation later spilled onto nearby streets, disrupting traffic and forcing residents and motorists to move away from the area. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
“We will not be intimidated. We will exercise our right to participate in this election,” Osa Director, a spokesperson for the NDC, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The party accused supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the attack, alleging an attempt to intimidate opposition members and disrupt its political activities.
However, the APC denied responsibility. Its spokesperson, Felix Morka, challenged the opposition to provide evidence supporting the allegation.
The violence also affected journalists covering the event. Sam Adebanjo of TheCable was reportedly beaten and attacked with an axe, while his recording equipment was stolen. Other media workers and participants also reported attacks and injuries.
An NDC supporter who sustained a head injury said the attackers had intended to frighten the opposition into abandoning its political activities.
The Lagos State Police Command arrested a suspected attacker following the incident. Investigations are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.
In a separate response, the APC Presidential Campaign Council condemned attacks on political gatherings across the country, including the disruption of the NDC meeting in Lagos. Its spokesperson, Dele Alake, called on security agencies to investigate the incidents and prosecute those responsible.
The attack comes just days after Obi’s convoy was targeted in Calabar, Cross River State, where attackers armed with sticks and machetes reportedly damaged vehicles. Police arrested a suspect in connection with that incident.
Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election behind President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, is preparing to contest the next election under the NDC.
Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election is scheduled for Jan. 16, with political parties intensifying mobilisation and campaign activities.
The latest incident has renewed concerns about the safety of political gatherings, freedom of association and the ability of opposition parties to campaign without intimidation.
As political activities gather momentum, security agencies and electoral stakeholders face growing pressure to protect candidates, supporters, journalists and other participants from violence.
The NDC has maintained that the attack will not force it to abandon its campaign, insisting that Nigerians must be able to exercise their democratic rights without fear.
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