The House of Representatives has moved to investigate a growing wave of political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, following a violent disruption of a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall meeting in Lagos.
Lawmakers condemned attacks on political gatherings and warned that continued violence could threaten public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process. The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by House Minority Leader Fred Agbedi and 16 other legislators, who expressed concern over increasing reports of intimidation, assaults and disruptions linked to political activities across the country.
The latest incident occurred in Lagos, where suspected thugs reportedly stormed an NDC town hall meeting, attacking supporters and forcing participants to flee. Reports indicated that vehicles were damaged during the chaos, while some attendees sustained injuries.
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In response, the NDC called for a thorough investigation and the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible. The party described the attack as an assault on democracy and the constitutional rights of citizens to freely associate and participate in political activities. It also expressed sympathy for supporters injured during the incident and insisted that intimidation would not deter its campaign activities.
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) also denounced the disruption, urging security agencies to act swiftly against those behind the violence. The council stressed that political parties and their supporters should focus on issue-based campaigns rather than actions capable of causing unrest.
Meanwhile, the Lagos chapter of the APC rejected allegations linking the ruling party to the attack and challenged the NDC to provide evidence supporting its claims. The exchange has further deepened political tensions as campaign activities gather momentum nationwide.
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During plenary, lawmakers emphasised that the Constitution guarantees Nigerians the right to peaceful assembly and political participation. They warned that repeated attacks on rallies, meetings and processions could discourage citizens from engaging in the democratic process.
The House urged political parties, candidates and supporters to reject inflammatory rhetoric, cooperate with security agencies and maintain public peace. Lawmakers also stressed the need for impartial investigations into all allegations of political violence, regardless of the parties involved.
The Lagos incident comes amid broader concerns over election-related violence across several states, with reports of attacks targeting political supporters and campaign activities ahead of the 2027 polls. Security agencies are now under pressure to prevent further incidents and ensure a level playing field for all political actors.
