Violence erupted during the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly primary election for Kosofe Constituency II in Lagos State, resulting in multiple injuries amid allegations of attempted assassination, voter intimidation, and property destruction.
Attack at Primary Venue
Supporters of House of Assembly aspirant Femi Saheed alleged that armed hoodlums invaded the primary venue at Ikosi Senior High School and attacked party members and supporters gathered for the exercise. According to eyewitness accounts, party members and supporters had assembled peacefully at the venue, including the adjoining stadium under construction, ahead of the accreditation and counting process. The eyewitnesses claimed that Saheed's supporters turned out in large numbers, including women, youths, community leaders, artisans, and party loyalists.
Tension reportedly escalated when unfamiliar faces, alleged to be thugs, stormed the venue. Saheed's supporters alleged that some individuals wore caps associated with another APC aspirant, issuing threats and provocative chants directed at Saheed's supporters. Despite the tension, coordinators of Saheed's campaign appealed for calm and urged supporters to remain peaceful throughout the exercise.
Alleged Assassination Attempt
Trouble allegedly started shortly after Saheed arrived at the venue to participate in the primary election. Eyewitnesses claimed that while the lawmaker was attempting to organize supporters into a coordinated line, an assailant attacked him with a sharp object in what supporters described as an assassination attempt. According to the account, a supporter reportedly shielded the aspirant and sustained stab wounds in the process. The attackers were also alleged to have hurled stones and granite blocks at the crowd, causing panic and a stampede.
Several persons reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries, including head wounds, machete cuts, and fractures while attempting to flee the scene. A woman was said to have suffered severe facial injuries during the attack, while others were rushed to Gbagada General Hospital and emergency centers around Ikosi and Kosofe for treatment.
Accusations of Voter Suppression
The camp of Saheed accused political opponents of orchestrating the violence to disrupt the primary election and suppress voters in areas believed to be supportive of the aspirant. Supporters further claimed that despite the violence and dispersal of party members, some political figures later returned to the venue to allegedly conduct and announce results. They also alleged that incidents of voter suppression occurred in Ajegunle, Alapere, and other parts of Kosofe Constituency II, where supporters were reportedly prevented from participating in the process.
Saheed's Response
Reacting to the incident, Saheed appealed to his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, noting that the party leadership was already investigating the matter. He said: “I am overwhelmed by your show of love, massive support and comradeship in the face of trials. I never knew I was this loved until yesterday, when you voluntarily came out in numbers despite intimidation and attacks. To those who sustained injuries due to the unfortunate attack on the people’s voice, and those attacked in their homes, please accept my sincere thoughts. I pray for God’s comfort for you and your families. You are true heroes of democracy. With reports circulating about the outcome of the primaries, I urge everyone to remain calm and law-abiding as our great party investigates the incident. I believe democracy shall triumph and the will of the people shall prevail.”
The camp of Saheed called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. They also urged the leadership of the APC to ensure that political violence does not undermine the democratic process within the party.
Denial by Opponent
Responding to the allegations, Muritala Seriki denied any involvement in the violence and described himself as a peacemaker. He said he had consistently advised his supporters against engaging in violence during the primary election. “Our slogan is that people should stand firmly and insist on voting and counting of votes at the venue peacefully. If anybody tries to provoke them, they should not engage in violence,” he said. “If there is any form of violence, I am sure it is not from me or my supporters.”
Asked whether he was present at the ward where Saheed voted, Seriki stated that he voted in his own ward, where the exercise was peaceful. “I am from Ward G in the old ward structure and Ward D in the new ward structure. That is where I voted and it was peaceful despite the mammoth crowd,” he said. “I cannot speak authoritatively about a place where I did not vote because the election was taking place simultaneously across all wards.”
On allegations linking his supporters to the violence, Seriki maintained that anyone was free to make claims but reiterated that violence should not be encouraged. “We are all members of the same party and violence should never be encouraged. That has always been my position,” he said. He also appealed to aggrieved party members to support the eventual candidate of the party, stressing that the APC must remain united ahead of the general election. “There is no victor and no vanquished. Whoever did not clinch the party ticket should rally round the party’s candidate to ensure victory for the APC,” he added.
