Police operatives on Friday sealed off Lion Field in Alimosho, Lagos, a venue earlier approved for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to host a political meeting.
The development was made public by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos, who described the action as “an assault on democracy” and an attempt to stifle opposition voices 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 tomorrow after obtaining the necessary approvals,” Rhodes-Vivour said.
“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.”
Rhodes-Vivour maintained that Lagos belongs to all residents, not a select few.
“Lagos belongs to all of us, not a select few. And it is our constitutional right to assemble lawfully. Let it be clear that no amount of intimidation or harassment will stop us from engaging with the people of Lagos. Our movement is powered by the people, and no barricade or show of force can weaken their resolve for a better Lagos,” he said.
He further disclosed that ADC representatives planned to meet with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to resolve the matter.
“We wrote a letter, so coming here is our constitutional right. We are not doing a rally, we are not doing a protest. We just want to gather as an organization,” he added.
A member of the ADC event planning committee also confirmed that due notifications and approvals were obtained before the venue was cordoned off.
“We wrote a letter of notification to both the area command and the Gowon Estate Police Station here, and it has been minuted upon and forwarded to the commissioner of police about three days ago,” the member said.
“So, on getting here this morning, we found out that the place has been cordoned off with policemen, and we were told that we need to go and see the commissioner of police. And as His Excellency has said, we know police, they are our friends, they are here to protect us,” the committee member added.
As of press time, neither the Lagos State Police Command nor the All Progressives Congress (APC) had issued an official response.
