Lagos APC Refuses Speculation on NDC Event Disruption, Cites Opposition Threats

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its intention not to draw hasty conclusions or make unfounded assumptions regarding the recent disruption of a political assembly organized by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ikeja. This stance was articulated by the party's spokesman, Seye Oladejo, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Oladejo was addressing questions concerning the alleged assault on NDC members and the APC's denial of any involvement in the incident.

According to Oladejo, the APC operates under strict adherence to the principles of law and order, and as such, it would refrain from engaging in speculative judgments about the circumstances surrounding the occurrence. He stated, “We’re a party governed by law and order. However, we won’t jump the gun and embark on needless assumptions.”

However, Oladejo urged the Nigerian populace not to disregard what he characterized as recent threats by rival political parties to instigate chaos within the state. He emphasized, “The threats to unleash mayhem by the opposition parties recently should not be lost on the public. Our democracy cannot thrive on anarchy and disorderly conducts.”

The spokesman reiterated the APC's unwavering commitment to democratic principles, peaceful political engagement, and respect for the rule of law. He stressed the importance of ensuring that political competition does not escalate into violence, intimidation, or actions that could undermine democratic institutions. Oladejo called upon all political parties and their supporters to exercise restraint and conduct their activities strictly within legal boundaries, especially as political preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify.

He also appealed to security agencies to maintain vigilance and diligently fulfill their constitutional duties to avert any potential threats to public peace. Oladejo maintained that political disagreements should be resolved through legitimate democratic processes rather than through actions that generate tension and disorder. He affirmed that the APC would continue to pursue its political agenda through persuasion, issue-based campaigns, grassroots mobilization, and the ballot box.

NAN reported that the Lagos APC had previously issued a statement on Thursday, also through Oladejo, refuting allegations that it sponsored the disruption of the NDC political gathering in Ikeja. The party dismissed the accusation as reckless, baseless, and irresponsible, asserting that it neither sponsored, encouraged, nor participated in any activity capable of infringing upon the constitutional rights of opposition parties. The APC highlighted that the alleged incident occurred on the same day its official flag-off for the 2027 general election campaign was held in Epe, a considerable distance from Ikeja. The statement noted that the party's leaders, elected officials, executives, campaign staff, and other stakeholders were all mobilized for the Epe event.

Furthermore, the APC accused certain opposition elements of issuing threats to unleash violence and render the political atmosphere ungovernable. It called on the Lagos State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to thoroughly investigate these alleged threats, gather intelligence, and prosecute anyone found culpable. The party advised the NDC to present any credible evidence linking individuals or groups to the disruption directly to the relevant security agencies, rather than resorting to public accusations. The APC concluded by reaffirming its dedication to peaceful coexistence, democratic competition, and the rule of law, asserting that it would not be diverted from its governance responsibilities and its 2027 election campaign.