Barely 24 hours after summoning El-Rufai, police seal venue of ADC rally in Lagos
By Ishaya Ibrahim
A venue for the September 6 rally of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been sealed by the police in Lagos.
The sealing of the venue at the Alimosho area of Lagos State, comes barely 24 hours after the Kaduna State Police Command summoned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and other leaders of the ADC in Kaduna for interrogation.
Their interrogation, slated for September 8, is connected with the alleged “Case of Criminal Conspiracy, Inciting Disturbance of Public Peace, Mischief and Causing Grievous Hurt.”
A video posted on X showed heavily armed policemen stationed at the proposed venue of the Lagos rally preventing anyone from accessing the place.
Reacting to the development, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour says the use of a state institution like the police to undermine the ADC was disappointing.
He said: “It is truly disappointing that the Lagos APC is abusing state institutions by sealing off the venue where the ADC was scheduled to hold a meeting tomorrow after obtaining the necessary approvals. This is not only an abuse of power, it is a clear attempt to stifle opposition voices in Lagos.
“We understand that the APC is jittery about the momentum the ADC and Obidients is building across the state, but deploying state security agencies to frustrate lawful political activities is unacceptable and undemocratic.
“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. Our movement is powered by the people, and no barricade or show of force can weaken their resolve for a better Lagos.”
