The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has condemned the attack on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall meeting in Lagos, calling on security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, November 12, and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council described the disruption of the political gathering as condemnable.
The statement followed Thursday’s attack at the Classique Event Centre in Oregun, Lagos, where suspected APC loyalists reportedly stormed an NDC town hall meeting, assaulting attendees and journalists.
A multimedia journalist with TheCable, Samuel Adebanjo, was among those attacked. His camera, gimbal and microphone, reportedly worth millions of naira, were also stolen.
Reacting to the incident, the APC campaign council said it had observed a growing pattern of violence at political gatherings across the country.
“We have observed the recent spate of violent attacks at political gatherings in parts of the country. The reported attacks in Edo, Cross River, and Gombe, and other violence targeted at party supporters and political leaders across party lines are condemnable,” the statement said.
The council specifically condemned the disruption of the NDC meeting, saying: “Our campaign strongly condemns the disruption of today’s scheduled town hall meeting of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos.”
It also urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid actions capable of triggering violence as preparations for the elections continue.
“As we proceed with the electioneering campaign, political parties, politicians, and supporters must restrain themselves and avoid acts that could create needless crisis and public disorder,” it said.
The APC campaign council further called on security agencies to strengthen their response to political violence and ensure those responsible face the law.
“We call on the security agencies to be more responsive and alert in preventing political violence of any type and ensure instigators and perpetrators are apprehended and punished in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
It also urged political parties and candidates to focus their campaigns on issues affecting Nigerians rather than actions capable of provoking violence at political events.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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