Many Injured as Hoodlums Disrupt LP–ADC Defection Event in Lagos
Several persons were injured on Saturday after suspected hoodlums violently disrupted an event marking the defection of members of the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The defection ceremony, jointly organised by LP and ADC members, was initially scheduled to hold at the Labour Party secretariat in Idimu, Lagos. However, the gathering was thrown into chaos when over 100 suspected thugs reportedly stormed the venue.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived wielding knives, canes and other dangerous objects, assaulting party members and officials while chanting hostile slogans. Several attendees sustained varying degrees of injuries, while party property, including chairs, furniture and flags, were vandalised.
Following the attack, party leaders and members fled the venue for safety.
Despite the disruption, organisers relocated the event to a second venue — the Eco Centre Event Hall in Egbeda — in an attempt to continue the ceremony.
However, the hoodlums reportedly traced the new location and again attacked party members, leading to further injuries and forcing the programme to end abruptly.
Confirming the incident, the Labour Party Chairman in Alimosho, Mr Olanrewaju Olushola, popularly known as Heritage, condemned the attack, describing it as unprovoked and alarming, especially with the 2027 general elections approaching.
“What is most painful is that most of my members sustained varying degrees of wounds. The hoodlums invaded our party secretariat, destroyed our furniture and flags, and injured many of our people,” Olushola said.
He clarified that the defection itself had already taken place earlier, noting that Saturday’s gathering was merely a symbolic ceremony to formally inform the public of the decision.
According to him, almost all Labour Party members in Alimosho, including the party’s local leadership structure, had collectively resolved to defect to the ADC.
Also speaking, the Alimosho Secretary of the party, Mr Moses Akujuobi, said security concerns had earlier forced the police to advise against an open political gathering.
Akujuobi explained that the organisers had contacted the Area M Commander, ACP Abaniwonda, who reportedly informed them that only the Commissioner of Police could authorise political events in the state.
“We informed the DSS and proceeded because it was not a rally but a quiet ceremony. Unfortunately, hoodlums besieged the venue and began to beat people,” he said.
He added that police officers reportedly arrived at the second venue only after the attackers had fled.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
