Nigeria: Axe-wielding men attack opposition campaign rally in Lagos
A group of armed men armed with axes and machetes attacked a campaign rally for opposition candidate Peter Obi in Lagos on Thursday, injuring a journalist and forcing the event to be cancelled.
The incident took place at an event center in Lagos, where supporters of Peter Obi were gathered for a rally. Armed men barged into the venue, breaking entrance doors and glass walls before attacking attendees.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers were armed with axes, clubs, and machetes. The violence spilled into the street, where supporters and the men fought for over an hour before police finally arrived.
The NDC guys repelled them, chased them out of the hall into the road.
Security officials stated they had not been notified of the event and were not on site to provide protection when the violence began. Police eventually fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
A local journalist, Sam Adebanjo of TheCable, was attacked and robbed during the melee. He described being hit with an axe and punched before surrendering his equipment to avoid further harm.
Political blame game
Supporters of Peter Obi blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the attack. The NDC has also accused the APC of being behind the forced cancellation of several of its campaign events, alleging the government of President Bola Tinubu is pressuring venue owners to turn them away.
The APC spokesman, Felix Morka, rejected the claim, citing a lack of evidence. The government has also denied the accusations of lawfare against opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar, who faces legal challenges to his candidacy.
Violence is a regular feature of Nigeria's elections and is often carried out by individuals colloquially referred to as 'thugs.'
Election context
The attack occurred two months before the country's January 16, 2027, presidential election. Oil-rich Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, ranked 112 out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders 2026 World Press Freedom Index.
The election will pit President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking his second term, against Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, the latter of whom was the runner-up in the 2023 election.
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