The Lagos State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP has alleged that some hoodlums, suspected to be members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) attacked its members at a rally in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state.
“PDP vehicles were damaged and supporters injured as the gun-toting and club-wielding hoodlums launched a blizzard of well-coordinated violence on the campaigners, just as the PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, ended his speech and introduced his Running Mate, Alhaja Safurat Abdulkarim”, the party said in a statement released by Felix Oboagwina, media aide to PDP Governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agabje.
The statement added that, ‘Security personnel on the PDP entourage resisted the attack and prevented further damage, but not before several vehicles in the convoy had their glass windows shattered, and their body damaged”.
According to the party, members of the PDP namely; Mr. Segun Ojo, and two ladies, Ms. Eniola Bakare and Ms. Nike Abioye were inflicted with matchet cuts.
“It is fast becoming the stock-in-trade of APC mercenaries in Lagos to unleash attacks on the peace-loving members of PDP,” he said. “These are merely the antics of a drowning man clutching at the flimsy straws of violence. However, we refuse to be provoked and we are determined not to give violence for violence. Lagos elections will be conducted peacefully, whether APC likes it or not.”
‘The rally, which had started around 2pm, had been peaceful before the unexpected and unprovoked attack.
‘Trouble began to brew after daring supporters of APC took to parading the vicinity of buses and cars parked opposite the eastern walls of Alesh Hotel, on the Lekki-Epe Expressway, where the rally took place.
However, at 5pm, just as Agbaje finished his speech, all hell broke loose.
“APC thugs had similarly launched attacks against participants at PDP rallies in Ajegunle, inflicting serious damage on the bullet-proof SUV of the PDP Governorship Candidate.
“Like President Goodluck Jonathan, Agbaje had always sued for peaceful politicking in Lagos, maintaining that his ambition must not draw blood.
The police had last month held a meeting with leaders and candidates of competing parties, urging them and their supporters to eschew violence and maintain the peace”, the statement read.
