What was meant to be a day of hope and political awakening for Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Peter Obi supporters in Lagos ended in sheer terror.
The ADC rally, held in Alimosho, was supposed to mark the rise of a “third force” in Nigeria’s political landscape. Instead, it descended into blood, chaos, and fear when armed thugs stormed the venue, scattering attendees and leaving several injured.
Frontpage gathered that the rally, held at Lion Field in Alimosho Local Government Area, was spearheaded by former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, to welcome Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the LP’s governorship flag bearer in Lagos, into the party.
The event, which also aimed to sensitise residents on voter registration ahead of the 2027 general elections, had only just kicked off when hoodlums stormed the venue, chasing away participants.
Witnesses say the attackers arrived in a coordinated fashion, wielding sticks, bottles, and machetes, sending families, women, and young supporters fleeing for their lives. The violence was so brazen that it raised a chilling question: Is democracy in Nigeria being deliberately strangled before 2027?
The Blame Game: Who’s Behind The Attack?
The ADC’s Stand: Rhodes-Vivour and his party accused the ruling APC of orchestrating the violence, claiming the thugs acted with the tacit approval of security agencies.
APC’s Denial: The Lagos APC swiftly dismissed the claims, branding them as excuses by a weak opposition unable to organize peacefully.
While ADC members pointed accusing fingers at the ruling party, the Publicity Secretary of the Lagos APC, Seye Oladejo, denied any involvement, describing the allegations as baseless.
Oladejo, in an interview said, “The opposition is certainly not helping our democracy to grow by accusing the ruling party to be the cause of their internal rifts.
“It is a well-known fact that the opposition in the country is a house divided against itself. The APC, as the ruling party, is the greatest stakeholder when it comes to maintaining peace and tranquility in the state.
“The opposition as presently constituted poses no threat to us and we are not interested in their inability to put their house in order. They are already looking for excuses for their imminent defeat come 2027.
“We vehemently deny any role in the failure of their rally and want to urge them not to throw the state into turmoil. We hereby call on all law enforcement agencies to ensure that the peace of the state is not disrupted by some political jobbers.”
The Silent Referee: Police presence at the event reportedly failed to control the mob, fueling speculation of complicity or at least negligence.
This isn’t just about a disrupted rally. It’s about a system where opposition voices are silenced, not by ballots, but by batons.
Democracy Or Dictatorship In Disguise?
This attack is more than a skirmish; it’s a dangerous signpost. In a country where opposition figures already complain of harassment, media censorship, and shrinking civic space, thugs invading political gatherings feels less like coincidence and more like a strategy.
Think back to #EndSARS, when peaceful protesters were silenced by bullets. Now, opposition rallies are being silenced by hired thugs. Different tools, same message: shut up or pay the price.
Bleeding Democracy
Nigeria’s democracy is bleeding. When political thuggery becomes a weapon of choice, ordinary citizens lose faith in the ballot. The ADC rally in Lagos wasn’t just disrupted, it was desecrated.
If nothing changes, the 2027 elections might not be a contest of ideas but a battlefield of violence. And if that happens, every Nigerian, APC, PDP, ADC, or LP—will be the loser.
