Thugs disrupt ADC event in Lagos as Rhodes-Vivour dumps Labour Party for ADC

A political gathering of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos on Saturday descended into chaos after suspected thugs attacked participants, leaving one person critically injured. 

The violent incident coincided with the formal defection of Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos, to the ADC.

Eyewitnesses said over 40 thugs stormed the venue in Alimosho, where Rhodes-Vivour was to be unveiled as a new member of the ADC, following the sealing off of the original venue, Lion Field, by security operatives.

Rhodes-Vivour, who narrowly lost to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 election, confirmed the attack in a video shared on social media.

He alleged that his personal photographer was brutally macheted during the assault and left unconscious before later being revived.

“The people that came are thugs and they were guided by the police. They macheted me and left me for dead. This is the height of it,” the victim recounted in the video obtained by SaharaReporters.

Before the attack, Rhodes-Vivour had accused the Lagos APC of using state institutions to stifle opposition activities in the state.

“It is truly disappointing that the Lagos APC is abusing state institutions by sealing off the venue where the ADC was scheduled to hold a meeting after obtaining the necessary approvals,” he said in a statement.

“This is not only an abuse of power, it is a clear attempt to stifle opposition voices in Lagos. We understand that the APC is jittery about the momentum the ADC and Obidients are building across the state, but deploying state security agencies to frustrate lawful political activities is unacceptable and undemocratic.”

He stressed that Lagos “belongs to all of us, not a select few,” vowing that no amount of intimidation would derail the movement for change in the state.

Despite the disruption, Rhodes-Vivour formally announced his defection from Labour Party to ADC during the event, citing the need for a united opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“I am happy to become part of this family. I’m looking forward to the union and governance that this party will bring to Nigerians. My prayer is that God will grant our leaders and the party’s structure the wisdom to come together and define a new path for our beloved country,” he said.

He reiterated his call for a robust coalition to challenge the APC in 2027.

“This is a coalition that is meant to rescue Nigeria. I have said since after the 2023 elections that we cannot afford to divide the opposition going into the next election. We must come together, united through a robust coalition that will stand a chance in 2027 to deliver this country,” he added.

The attack on the ADC event has sparked renewed concerns about political intolerance and the use of security agencies to suppress opposition voices in Lagos.