The 2023 Labour Celebration (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has accused the police of aiding hoodlums in attacking attendees on the venue for his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Saturday.
In a viral video seen by PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, Mr Rhodes-Vivour spoke to journalists on the occasion whereas holding somebody who claimed to have been harassed and crushed by the attackers.
“The venue, Christ Gospel Mission Church, was presupposed to accommodate 4,000 individuals. Every little thing had been organized, together with our healthcare providers. However about 20 to 40 law enforcement officials got here, locked the gates, and mentioned we couldn’t maintain our occasion. In a church, they led talks, got here in, and scattered all the pieces,” Mr Rhodes-Vivour mentioned.
He added, pointing to an injured member of his staff, “This younger man was harm. He’s our cameraman. They had been with the police. The assaults had been coordinated with the police guiding them.”
Mr Rhodes-Vivour additionally accused the police of defending an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally occurring on the identical location.
“That is the peak of agro-ocracy. We can’t be in a democracy the place individuals maintain energy by intimidation, by hurting and crushing the spirit of youth. How can younger individuals respect the police in such a scenario?” he mentioned.
The cameraman, who spoke anonymously, corroborated Mr Rhodes-Vivour’s claims: “They had been with the police. They burst my head, wielding cutlasses, seized telephones, and destroyed tools. This isn’t honest. I’m a press individual, and that is how they function—destroying property with out consequence.”
Within the video, an unnamed ADC member current on the occasion mentioned: “We’re right here to obtain our new members, notably from the Labour Celebration, led by Mr Rhodes-Vivour.
“Regardless of intimidation and challenges in offering a reputable different to Nigerians, we stay dedicated to democracy. We are going to proceed to supply Nigerians a authorities for the individuals, not the elites, and management that prioritizes residents over energy grabs. Folks have seen and heard the information, and we hope they may vote accordingly.”
Police refute declare
The Lagos State Police Command dismissed claims of political bias, describing them as false, deceptive, and damaging to the command’s repute.
In a press release on Saturday by the Command Deputy Spokesperson, Babaseyi Oluseyi, mentioned that police personnel weren’t concerned in any political actions.
He defined that joint police groups, together with standard officers, tactical squads, and anti-riot items, had been deployed throughout Alimosho Native Authorities Space and different elements of Lagos since 4 September to stop crime, guarantee public security, and preserve peace.
Mr Oluseyi mentioned, “The deployed groups have remained skilled and well mannered, offering safety with out bias. At no time did officers cowl for political assaults. No political get together or particular person lodged complaints at any police station in Lagos relating to assaults or reprisals.”
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He added that Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, had reiterated the command’s neutrality, emphasizing its constitutional responsibility to guard lives and property.
Mr Jimoh urged political stakeholders and residents to channel real complaints to the police as an alternative of spreading deceptive narratives, assuring that every one credible complaints could be addressed promptly.
Defection to ADC
Mr Rhodes-Vivour formally declared for the ADC on the Lagos occasion on Saturday. The transfer comes amid a coalition of opposition events underneath the ADC platform in search of to problem APC dominance within the 2027 common elections.
ADC grew to become the coalition’s platform in July, courting distinguished figures disenchanted with APC and PDP dominance to construct a formidable third drive forward of the polls.
Talking in the course of the declaration, Mr Rhodes-Vivour described the transfer as a part of a broader coalition.
“I’m completely satisfied to grow to be a part of this household. I stay up for the union and governance this get together will deliver to Nigerians. My prayer is that God grants our leaders the knowledge to unite and outline a brand new path for our nation,” he mentioned.
The governorship hopeful additionally referred to as for unity amongst opposition events forward of the 2027 elections.
“This coalition is supposed to rescue Nigeria. We can not afford to divide the opposition going into the following election. We should come collectively by a sturdy coalition that stands an opportunity to ship this nation in 2027,” he added.
