The Labour Party has strongly condemned an alleged attack on its candidate during a campaign rally in the Ojo Local Government Area, reportedly orchestrated by individuals loyal to the Iba monarch. The incident, which occurred during a grassroots mobilization effort, has raised serious concerns about political intimidation and the abuse of traditional authority in democratic processes.
According to the Labour Party candidate, the campaign team was ambushed by suspected thugs shortly after arriving in the Iba area. The attackers, allegedly acting on the orders of the traditional ruler, disrupted the event, harassed supporters, and vandalized campaign materials. The candidate further claimed that the monarch openly declared the area an “APC town,” warning that opposition parties were not welcome.
“This is not just an attack on our campaign—it is an attack on democracy itself,” the candidate said. “No traditional institution should be used as a tool of political suppression. Our constitution guarantees freedom of association and political participation for all Nigerians.”
The Labour Party is calling on the Lagos State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. The party also urged traditional rulers to remain neutral and uphold their roles as custodians of culture and unity, not partisanship.
This development follows recent reports that a Lagos monarch, Oba AbdulFatai Oyegbemi of the Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom, dethroned six chiefs for attending a Labour Party campaign event without his consent—a move that has sparked national debate about the intersection of tradition and politics.
The Labour Party reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful campaigning and vowed not to be deterred by intimidation. “We will continue to engage with the people, door to door, street by street, because Nigeria belongs to all of us—not just to one party or one palace,” the statement concluded.