Get Guardian on GoogleThe Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied allegations that it sponsored the disruption of a political gathering organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ikeja, describing the accusation as baseless and an attempt to implicate the ruling party without evidence.
The party said it had neither sponsored, encouraged nor participated in any action capable of undermining the constitutional rights of opposition parties to assemble, deliberate and canvass for political support.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Lagos APC spokesman, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, said the allegation was reckless and irresponsible, adding that the accusers had failed to present credible evidence linking the party to the incident.
Oladejo said it was curious that the alleged disruption occurred on the same day the APC officially flagged off its campaign for the 2027 general elections in Epe, several kilometres away from Ikeja.
He said the party’s political leaders, elected representatives, executives, campaign officials and other stakeholders were fully mobilised for the campaign flag-off, making the allegation of its involvement in the Ikeja incident inconceivable.
“The entire APC political machinery in Lagos, without exception, was mobilised to Epe for this historic political engagement. Our leaders, elected representatives, party executives, campaign officials and critical stakeholders were fully committed to the success of that event,” he said.
The party maintained that it had no incentive to sponsor violence or any action capable of threatening political stability, insisting that its position had always been to promote peaceful coexistence, political tolerance and respect for the rule of law.
Oladejo accused the NDC of resorting to blame-shifting rather than establishing the circumstances surrounding the alleged disruption and identifying those responsible.
He said, “If the NDC has credible evidence linking any individual or group to the incident, the appropriate course is to present such evidence to the relevant security agencies and allow the law to take its course. Serious criminal allegations should not be established through social media insinuations, emotional outbursts or politically convenient narratives.”
The APC spokesman also expressed concern over what he described as persistent threats by opposition political elements to unleash violence and make the political atmosphere ungovernable.
He, however, said the party remained committed to peaceful political engagement but would not be intimidated by threats, provocations or attempts to create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
According to him, the APC has no need to resort to violence, intimidation or thuggery to participate in the democratic process, as it believes in political persuasion, issue-based campaigns, grassroots mobilisation and the ballot box.
The party consequently called on the Lagos State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, adopt proactive security measures and investigate threats capable of undermining public peace.
It also urged the agencies to take seriously what it described as increasingly bellicose rhetoric from some opposition quarters and ensure that individuals or political organisations were not allowed to threaten the peace of the state.
“Political ambition is not a licence for lawlessness. Opposition politics must not become an excuse for the normalisation of intimidation, disorder and the subversion of democratic institutions,” Oladejo said.
Reaffirming the party’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and democratic competition, the spokesman said the APC would remain focused on governance, development and delivering democratic dividends to Lagos residents.
He urged the NDC to stop looking for scapegoats and take responsibility for its political environment, adding that the APC would not be distracted by what it described as manufactured controversies.
