Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is facing mounting criticism after state authorities sealed off the venue of an African Democratic Congress (ADC) meeting scheduled to hold in Alimosho, despite organisers insisting they had secured prior approval.
The closure has reignited accusations that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is increasingly using state institutions to suppress opposition voices.
Reacting in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Labour Party’s 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, condemned the action as “an abuse of power” and a direct attack on democratic freedoms.
“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,” Rhodes-Vivour wrote.
“Lagos belongs to all of us, not a select few. And it is our constitutional right to assemble lawfully. Let it be clear that no amount of intimidation or harassment will stop us from engaging with the people of Lagos.”
The development comes barely 24 hours after police in Kaduna sealed off the ADC office on Ali Akilu Road ahead of a scheduled visit by the party’s North-West leadership. The opposition has since described that action as unconstitutional and a deliberate attempt to intimidate its members.
Opposition parties have repeatedly accused APC-led governments of deploying security agencies to frustrate their activities. Tactics cited include sealing off venues, issuing warnings to hotels, and demanding clearance before allowing political gatherings.
Analysts note that the incidents in Lagos and Kaduna may signal a pattern of intolerance towards opposition movements as political tensions mount ahead of the next electoral cycle.
For the ADC and its allies, however, the latest clampdowns appear to have further strengthened their resolve to mobilise supporters across the country.
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