By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the reported attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) during a political gathering in Ikeja, while firmly denying allegations of involvement in the incident. The party described the accusations as unfounded and challenged the NDC to provide credible evidence linking the APC or its members to the alleged disruption.

The APC State Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, made the position known in a statement while reacting to reports that an NDC political gathering was disrupted on Thursday. Oladejo described the allegation as reckless and an attempt to drag the ruling party into an incident without establishing any credible connection. He said the APC neither sponsored nor participated in any action capable of undermining the constitutional rights of opposition parties to assemble, hold meetings and canvass for political support.

According to him, the reported incident coincided with the official flag-off of the APC’s 2027 general election campaign in Epe, where the party’s leaders, elected officials and stakeholders were engaged in statewide political activities. He argued that the APC could not have abandoned such a major political engagement to interfere with an opposition gathering, insisting that the party remained committed to peaceful political campaigns and democratic principles.

Oladejo maintained that the APC’s position as the governing party in Lagos did not automatically make it responsible for every breach of public order in the state. He urged the NDC to forward any evidence it might have to the appropriate security agencies rather than resort to public accusations.

He also called on the Lagos State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the reported disruption, identify those responsible and take appropriate steps to prevent further incidents.

The APC spokesman further warned political parties against using ambition as an excuse for intimidation, violence or the disruption of democratic activities, urging the NDC to take responsibility for its political environment.He reiterated that the APC supported peaceful and issue based political engagement and would not condone any action capable of threatening the rights of individuals or political organisations to participate freely in the democratic process.