● Political Violence Escalates as Thugs Attack Obi-Kwankwaso Supporters at Lagos Town Hall
There was pandemonium on Thursday as suspected political thugs invaded the venue of a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Oregun area of Lagos State, attacking party supporters and disrupting the gathering.
The attackers, reportedly armed with cudgels, cutlasses and stones, stormed Classic Event Place, Oregun, where supporters had gathered ahead of an engagement with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The incident occurred at about 11am, when supporters were singing and dancing in anticipation of the arrival of the two presidential hopefuls.
According to eyewitness accounts, the suspected attackers approached the venue from the Kudirat Abiola Way axis and attempted to force their way into the main hall, triggering panic among participants.
Some attendees reportedly scampered for safety as the attackers invaded the premises. However, several supporters resisted the assault by throwing chairs at the intruders.
NDC supporters dressed in blue shirts and white fez caps subsequently chased the suspected hoodlums out of the hall and apprehended one of them at the car park.
A video circulating on social media showed angry supporters surrounding the apprehended suspect and beating him with sticks, while a voice in the background was heard saying, “Deal with him.”
The confrontation later spilled onto Kudirat Abiola Way, disrupting vehicular movement as motorists made U-turns and pedestrians fled the area.
Policemen subsequently fired shots into the air to disperse the crowd and restore order.
In another disturbing development, a multimedia journalist with TheCable, Samuel Adebanjo, was reportedly assaulted during the attack. Reports said several suspected attackers descended on him, beating and kicking him as he attempted to take cover behind a vehicle. His camera and microphone were also reportedly stolen.
TheCable reported that the attackers were suspected to be loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC), although their identities and political affiliations had not been independently established.
Several vehicles were also reportedly vandalised during the confrontation.
Neither Obi nor Kwankwaso had arrived at the venue when the violence erupted.
Fresh attacks across the country
Thursday’s incident is the latest in a disturbing series of politically linked attacks targeting candidates, party supporters and campaign activities across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In Delta State, one person was killed and five others injured when violence erupted during a political procession organised by the Obidient/OK Movement in support of Obi in Asaba on November 7.
The incident occurred along Nnebisi Road, where supporters had gathered for a procession.
The Delta State Police Command confirmed the casualties, announcing that it had commenced a full-scale investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.
According to the police, intelligence reports had indicated the possibility of violence ahead of the procession. The organisers were subsequently invited to a security meeting and advised to avoid an open-road procession in favour of a designated venue where adequate security could be provided.
The police, however, said the organisers proceeded with the procession despite the warning.
The NDC and its supporters have called for an investigation into the incident, while the police have assured the public that those responsible would be identified.
The killing has further heightened concerns about the safety of political supporters participating in campaign activities.
Obi’s convoy attacked in Calabar
Barely days before the Lagos incident, Obi’s convoy reportedly came under attack in Calabar, Cross River State, on November 4.
The incident occurred shortly after the NDC presidential candidate arrived in the state capital for a town hall meeting at the Metropolitan Hotel.
According to reports, suspected political thugs ambushed the convoy around the Watt Market area, throwing stones, bottles and other dangerous objects at the vehicles and supporters.
The attack caused panic as supporters ran for safety, while vehicular movement and commercial activities were disrupted.
Obi subsequently confirmed the incident, saying unidentified persons attacked his convoy after sighting NDC supporters.
He said his security team advised him to take another route to avoid further confrontation.
The Cross River State Police Command reportedly confirmed the attack and announced the arrest of a 27-year-old suspect, Victor Edet Yellow-Duke, while investigations continued to identify other suspects and possible sponsors.
Despite the incident, Obi proceeded with his scheduled engagement with supporters.
Political violence spreads beyond NDC
The growing incidents of political violence have not been restricted to the NDC or its supporters.
In Oyo State, hundreds of supporters of the Accord Party’s governorship candidate, Oriyomi Hamzat, were attacked by suspected hoodlums during a procession in the Molete area of Ibadan on October 14.
The procession was organised to welcome Hamzat back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom.
According to reports, the supporters were pelted with stones, leaving some party members injured, while vehicles in the campaign convoy were vandalised.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident, with its spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, acknowledging that Hamzat’s supporters had been ambushed during what was described as a peaceful procession.
The All Progressives Congress subsequently called for an investigation into the attack, while accusing political opponents of encouraging violence against opposition groups. The allegations were yet to be established by an independent investigation.
The incident has added to concerns about the increasing use of intimidation and violence against political opponents in the state.
Rights groups raise alarm
The growing wave of attacks has attracted criticism from civil society organisations and democracy advocates.
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) recently warned of an escalating pattern of political violence, intimidation and attacks against candidates, their supporters and campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement signed by its Director, Dr Dauda Garuba, the organisation cited reported attacks involving NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Daniya.
The organisation also condemned the violent disruption of an APC presidential campaign rally in Nasarawa State, stressing that political violence was becoming an increasingly disturbing feature of the country’s political environment.
Similarly, the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) expressed concern over what it described as a dangerous pattern of political violence in the South-South, particularly following incidents in Warri, Calabar and Asaba.
The organisations warned that failure to investigate attacks and prosecute perpetrators could embolden political actors who deploy violence to intimidate opponents and undermine democratic participation.
Over 30 attacks recorded since campaigns began
An assessment by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) project has also highlighted the scale of the emerging security challenge.
According to ACLED, more than 30 attacks targeting political campaigns, candidates, supporters, convoys and gatherings had been recorded since campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections began on August 19, 2026.
The incidents had resulted in more than 10 fatalities, several injuries, destruction of vehicles and disruptions to political activities.
ACLED identified the North-West, particularly Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara and Katsina states, as the region with the highest concentration of politically linked attacks and unrest.
The organisation warned that the growing tensions could worsen as the January 2027 presidential election approaches, potentially influencing candidates, voters and electoral outcomes.
Similarly, Global Rights, through its Incident Centre for Election Atrocities (ICEA), documented at least eight killing-related incidents, four attacks on political actors and five incidents of voter intimidation between February 18 and August 15, 2026.
Its report also documented attacks during party congresses and primaries, including a violent APC ward congress in Idanre, Ondo State, on February 18, which left two people dead.
The organisation warned that electoral violence in Nigeria was no longer confined to election days but was increasingly occurring during party primaries, political meetings, campaign activities and other stages of the electoral process.
House of Representatives moves to investigate
The rising incidents have also attracted the attention of the National Assembly.
The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to investigate the increasing cases of political violence across the country following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Frederick Agbedi and 16 other lawmakers.
The motion followed reports of attacks on political gatherings, including the assault on NDC supporters and a journalist during Thursday’s town hall meeting in Lagos.
Lawmakers also raised concerns over the November 7 incident in Asaba, where one person was killed and five others injured, as well as the reported attack on Obi’s convoy in Calabar.
The resolution underscores growing concerns among political stakeholders that the country could witness more violent confrontations as the 2027 elections draw closer.
Concerns over the credibility of 2027 elections
Political analysts and democracy advocates have repeatedly warned that attacks on candidates and their supporters could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Beyond the immediate physical injuries and destruction of property, such incidents could discourage citizens from attending political gatherings, participating in campaigns or openly supporting candidates of their choice.
The increasing frequency of attacks also raises questions about the preparedness of security agencies to protect political activities and ensure equal protection for candidates and supporters across party lines.
Although political parties have a constitutional right to organise peaceful meetings, processions and campaign activities, the responsibility to maintain public order must not become an excuse for denying citizens their democratic rights.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, stakeholders are expected to intensify calls for impartial investigations, the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators, and adequate security arrangements for political gatherings.
The latest attack in Lagos, coming against the backdrop of deadly incidents in Delta and reported assaults in Cross River and Oyo, has renewed fears that political intolerance and thuggery could become a major threat to Nigeria’s democratic process if urgent measures are not taken.