Lagos APC to NDC: Stop Blaming Us for Ikeja Rally Disruption

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The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied allegations of sponsoring the disruption of a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) political gathering in Ikeja, describing the accusation as baseless and an attempt to find convenient scapegoats.

The party said its leaders and members were fully mobilised in Epe on the day of the alleged incident for the official flag-off of its 2027 general election campaign, insisting that it had neither sponsored nor participated in any action to disrupt the opposition party's gathering.

In a statement on Thursday, Lagos APC spokesman, Mogaji (Hon.) Seye Oladejo, said it was curious that the NDC accused the ruling party without presenting credible evidence linking it to the incident.

"While APC was in Epe, NDC was looking for scapegoats in Ikeja," Oladejo declared.

He said the party's leaders, elected representatives, executives and campaign officials were committed to the Epe engagement, describing allegations of its involvement in the Ikeja incident as inconceivable.

"For the avoidance of doubt, Lagos APC categorically rejects any insinuation of involvement, direct or indirect, in the alleged disruption. We have neither sponsored, encouraged nor participated in any act capable of undermining the constitutional rights of any political party," he stated.

Oladejo accused the NDC of resorting to propaganda and blame-shifting instead of establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"This is a lazy political reflex that substitutes propaganda for investigation and blame-shifting for accountability," he said.

He maintained that the APC, as the ruling party, had every reason to protect political stability and democratic institutions in Lagos, adding that the occurrence of an incident in the state did not automatically make the government responsible.

"The fact that an incident occurred in Lagos, or that APC is the governing party in the state, does not automatically confer responsibility for every act of criminality or political misconduct on the ruling party," he added.

The APC spokesman challenged the NDC to submit any evidence linking individuals or groups to the incident to the relevant security agencies.

"Serious criminal allegations should not be established through social media insinuations, emotional outbursts or politically convenient narratives," he said.

He also expressed concern over what he described as threats by opposition elements to unleash violence and make the political atmosphere ungovernable, warning that the party's commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness.

"We refuse to be intimidated by threats, provocations or attempts to create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty," Oladejo declared.

He stressed that the APC had no need to resort to violence or thuggery, insisting that its political strength rested on persuasion, issue-based campaigns, grassroots mobilisation and the ballot box.

The party consequently called on the Lagos State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to investigate threats capable of undermining public peace and ensure that offenders were brought to justice.

"They must not wait until threats of violence translate into actual breaches of public peace before taking action," he said.

Oladejo reaffirmed the party's commitment to peaceful political competition and the rule of law, insisting that it would remain focused on governance and its 2027 campaign.

"The NDC should stop looking for convenient scapegoats and take responsibility for its own political environment. Lagos APC has a state to govern, a campaign to prosecute and a democratic mandate to defend. We will not be distracted, intimidated or drawn into manufactured controversies," he said.

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