Unidentified hoodlums on Saturday violently disrupted a joint event organised by the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, leaving several party members injured.
The event was convened to formally announce the defection of LP members in Alimosho to the ADC. Trouble began at the first venue, the LP office in Idimu, where over 100 hoodlums reportedly stormed the premises, forcing members and officials to flee for safety.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, armed with knives, canes and other dangerous objects, assaulted party members and vandalised property, chanting that the LP and ADC were not welcome in Lagos State. Several members sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack.
Despite the disruption, party officials relocated the ceremony to an alternative venue at the Eco Centre Event Hall in Egbeda. However, the hoodlums allegedly traced the new location and launched another attack, beating members once again before leaving the area.
Speaking on the incident, the LP chairman in Alimosho, Olaranwaju Olushola, popularly known as Heritage, described the attack as unwarranted and alarming, especially as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
“What is most painful is that many of my members sustained injuries. The hoodlums even invaded our party secretariat in Alimosho, destroying our furniture and flags,” Olushola said, expressing concern over citizens’ freedom to associate and express political choices.
He clarified that the defection had already taken place collectively, noting that the event was only meant to inform the public of their decision. According to him, nearly all LP members in Alimosho, including the leadership, have joined the ADC.
Also speaking, the party secretary in Alimosho, Moses Akujuobi, said the police had earlier stopped plans for an open ceremony, citing the absence of official approval. He explained that efforts to secure clearance were unsuccessful, although security agencies, including the DSS, were informed.
“When we arrived at the first venue, we met heavily armed policemen who told us we could not proceed. While we were still engaging them, hoodlums invaded the place and began beating people, forcing us to abandon the venue,” Akujuobi said.
He added that even after relocating to the Eco Centre in Egbeda, the attackers followed them and carried out another assault on members. According to him, the decision to defect to the ADC was driven by leadership challenges within the LP and ongoing internal litigations.
Heavily armed policemen later arrived at the second venue after the hoodlums had left. A police officer, who spoke anonymously, said officers responded after receiving reports of violence and were relieved that no lives were lost and no serious injuries were recorded.
(NAN)
