- the assailants stormed the venue armed with knives, canes and other dangerous objects
- He said the violence left many members injured and led to the destruction of party property
- Akujuobi added that hoodlums later traced the group to the second venue in Egbeda
Violence marred a political event in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on Saturday after suspected hoodlums disrupted a ceremony organised to announce the defection of Labour Party (LP) members to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the event, put together by both parties to formally unveil the movement of members, was initially scheduled to take place at the LP secretariat in Idimu before it was abruptly cut short by the invasion of over 100 unidentified attackers.
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According to eyewitnesses, the assailants stormed the venue armed with knives, canes and other dangerous objects, assaulting party members and damaging property, including chairs and flags.
They were also heard chanting threatening slogans, warning that LP and ADC activities were not welcome in Lagos State.
Several party members reportedly sustained injuries during the attack, forcing organisers and participants to flee the area for safety.
In a bid to salvage the programme, party officials relocated the ceremony to the Eco Centre Event Hall in Egbeda, where they attempted to continue the event under tense conditions.
Reacting to the incident, the LP Chairman in Alimosho, Mr Olanrewaju Olushola, popularly known as Heritage, condemned the attack, describing it as unprovoked and disturbing, especially as the 2027 general elections draw nearer.
He said the violence left many members injured and led to the destruction of party property at the secretariat, noting that the gathering was only meant to publicly announce a decision that had already been taken.
Olushola disclosed that almost all LP members in Alimosho, including the party’s leadership structure, had agreed collectively to defect to the ADC.
Also speaking, the party’s Alimosho Secretary, Mr Moses Akujuobi, said earlier plans for an open ceremony were halted by the police due to the absence of formal approval from the state police command.
He explained that although security agencies were informed, organisers were told only the Commissioner of Police could authorise political gatherings in the state.
Akujuobi added that hoodlums later traced the group to the second venue in Egbeda, where another attack occurred before police officers eventually arrived after the assailants had left.
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