BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu Seals ADC Meeting Venue in Lagos, 24 hours after Police Invites El-Rufai, six other coalition leaders
The action has triggered strong criticism from opposition figures, with many accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of weaponising state institutions to suppress rival parties
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Sanwo-Olu Seals ADC Meeting Venue in Lagos, 24 hours after Police Invites El-Rufai, six other coalition leaders
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is facing backlash after state authorities sealed off the venue of an African Democratic Congress (ADC) meeting scheduled to hold in Alimosho, despite organisers claiming they had obtained the necessary approval.
The action has triggered strong criticism from opposition figures, with many accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of weaponising state institutions to suppress rival parties.
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Reacting on Friday, former Lagos governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour described the move as an abuse of power and a direct attempt to silence dissenting voices.
“This is not only an abuse of power, but a clear attempt to stifle opposition voices in Lagos,” Rhodes-Vivour wrote on X. “We understand that the APC is jittery about the momentum the ADC and Obidients are building across the state, but deploying state security agencies to frustrate lawful political activities is unacceptable and undemocratic.”
He insisted that Lagos “belongs to all of us, not a select few” and warned that no amount of intimidation would deter the opposition.
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The development comes just 24 hours after police in Kaduna sealed off the ADC’s office on Ali Akilu Road ahead of a planned meeting of its North-West leadership. The party described the move as unconstitutional and an attempt to intimidate its members.
Opposition parties have repeatedly accused APC-led governments of clamping down on their activities in recent months. They allege that security agencies have been used to seal off venues, harass organisers, and pressure hotels against hosting political gatherings without clearance.
The ADC and other opposition groups say such actions undermine Nigeria’s democracy and deny citizens their constitutional right to freely assemble and participate in politics.
