Tension gripped the Alimosho area of Lagos on Saturday when violence erupted at the scheduled formal declaration of Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (GRV), the Labour Party’s former governorship candidate, into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
According to eyewitnesses, suspected thugs armed with dangerous weapons stormed the venue of the planned defection, unleashing terror on ADC members and attendees. Shockingly, the attack reportedly occurred in the presence of police officers who were stationed at the venue.
Speaking to journalists after the incident, Rhodes-Vivour expressed dismay, alleging that security operatives and armed groups had deliberately blocked access to the original venue of the event, despite full payment having been made for its use.
He further revealed that police officers informed him that the order to restrict access came “from above,” and advised him to escalate the matter directly to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
During the chaos, Rhodes-Vivour’s personal photographer was severely injured, with his equipment destroyed in the attack. Displaying the injured cameraman to the press, GRV condemned the violence, describing it as a deliberate attempt to silence democratic processes in Lagos politics.
“This is not just an attack on me or my supporters, but on democracy itself,” Rhodes-Vivour said.
The violent disruption has fueled fresh concerns about political intolerance and the safety of opposition voices in Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly in Lagos State.
