Police working with APC’s thugs to silence opposition – Rhodes-Vivour

Former Labour Party (LP) flag bearer at the 2023 governorship election in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has accused the police of collaborating with ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters to block his coalition’s activities in Lagos, alleging a deliberate attempt to silence dissenting voices.

Rhodes-Vivour, who now aligns with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, said events over the weekend showed “a disturbing alliance” between security forces and APC-linked groups.

According to him, his coalition had booked and paid for the Lion Field in Alimosho weeks earlier to host a rally. But he claimed the Lagos Commissioner of Police later told him the event could not take place, without providing written reasons.

“On Saturday, while we were barred from entering, APC leaders and chairmen of local councils, escorted by more than 80 policemen and several patrol vehicles, held their own rally at the very same field we had rented,” Rhodes-Vivour said.

He said his team attempted to move the gathering to alternative venues, but police officers and suspected thugs repeatedly disrupted those plans. At one location, he alleged, officers opened gates and allowed armed youths to invade, sparking violence.

“My sister was injured and taken to hospital, my aide suffered a concussion and was bleeding from his ears, and several buses we hired were vandalised,” he said. “The police did not protect us; instead, they stood by as these attacks happened.”

Rhodes-Vivour accused the authorities of pursuing an agenda to shrink political space. “This is not just about me or my party. What happened shows the police and APC thugs working together to intimidate opponents and push Nigeria towards a one-party state,” he said.

The activist-politician said his team had recorded videos of the incidents and shared them online to back his claims.

The Lagos State police command has yet to comment on the allegations. The APC has also not immediately responded to requests for reaction.

Civil society groups have previously warned against the use of security forces to tilt the political playing field. Nigeria’s opposition parties have frequently accused the police of bias in favour of the ruling party, a charge consistently denied by authorities.

Rhodes-Vivour said his coalition would continue its activities despite intimidation. “We will not be silenced,” he vowed.