Lagos, November 13, 2026 — Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has strongly condemned the violent disruption of the party’s town hall meeting in Lagos by suspected thugs, describing political violence as “an ill wind that blows no one any good” and warning that “anarchy consumes everyone.”
On Thursday, November 12, armed individuals stormed the Classic Event Place (also referred to as Classique Event Centre) on Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, around 11 a.m. while NDC supporters were gathering for the town hall meeting expected to feature Obi and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The attackers, reportedly armed with cutlasses, cudgels, stones and, according to some eyewitnesses, other weapons, invaded the venue, causing panic. Participants fled for safety, several vehicles were damaged or vandalised, some supporters sustained injuries, and journalists’ equipment was seized in the chaos.
NDC supporters initially resisted and later fought back, chasing the intruders from the hall and apprehending one suspect who was subsequently handed over to the police. Police fired shots into the air to disperse the crowd as the confrontation spilled onto the road. Neither Obi nor Kwankwaso had arrived at the time of the attack.
Despite the violence, Obi later proceeded to the venue. The town hall meeting eventually held later in the day, with supporters remaining determined. Obi and the party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, both addressed the incident.
In a statement issued on Friday, Obi said he had been informed earlier of the mobilisation of thugs against early arrivals. “At the close of the service, I proceeded to Oregun to join our supporters and participants at the Lagos State edition of our ongoing series of town hall meetings across the country,” he stated. “Earlier, I had been informed that a group of thugs had mobilised to attack participants who arrived early for the meeting. Let me reiterate that the political violence being enabled by certain political actors against our supporters is an ill wind that blows no one any good. Anarchy consumes everyone. We will remain law-abiding, even in the face of extreme provocation.”
Obi clarified that the gathering was a town hall meeting intended as an opportunity to listen to Nigerians and their ideas, not a campaign rally. He insisted that political violence would not deter the NDC and urged supporters of all parties to embrace peace and fairness so that citizens can exercise their democratic rights without intimidation.
Doherty echoed the condemnation, describing the resistance by supporters as evidence of Obi’s continued strong following in Lagos. The party maintained that the attack would not stop its engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) also condemned the violence and called for the arrest of those responsible, while urging political parties to campaign on issues rather than instigate unrest.
The incident has heightened concerns about political thuggery as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 polls. One suspect was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command. Investigations continue.
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