Violence erupted on Tuesday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly primary election for Kosofe Constituency II in Lagos, leaving several persons injured amid allegations of attempted assassination, voter intimidation and destruction of property.

Supporters of House of Assembly aspirant, Hon. 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 made available to journalists by Ademola Ogunsola, party members and supporters had gathered peacefully at the venue, including an adjoining stadium under construction, ahead of the accreditation and counting process.

Ogunsola claimed that supporters of Hon. Saheed turned out in large numbers, including women, youths, community leaders, artisans and party loyalists.

Tension, however, reportedly escalated when unfamiliar faces alleged to be thugs stormed the venue.

Supporters of Saheed alleged that some of the individuals wore caps associated with another APC aspirant, Muritala Seriki, while allegedly issuing threats and provocative chants directed at Saheed’s supporters.

Despite the tension, coordinators of Saheed’s campaign reportedly appealed for calm and urged supporters to remain peaceful throughout the exercise.

Trouble allegedly started shortly after Hon. Saheed arrived at the venue to participate in the primary election.

Eyewitnesses claimed that while the lawmaker was attempting to organise 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 identified as Mutairu Rafiu 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 hospitals, including Gbagada General Hospital and emergency centres around Ikosi and Kosofe.

Supporters further alleged that gunshots were heard during the chaos, while phones, bags and other valuables were stolen in the confusion.

According to them, many supporters trapped on elevated sections of the stadium were forced to jump from the stands to avoid being attacked.

The camp of Hon. 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.

The allegations also extended to Ward G at Isheri Town Hall, where properties were reportedly vandalised.

One resident was alleged to have fled his home after hoodlums reportedly invaded and damaged his apartment over claims that he recorded the violence.

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.

Reacting to the incident, Hon. 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.”

Meanwhile, supporters of Hon. Saheed released a list of persons allegedly injured during the violence, describing the incident as one of the worst episodes of political violence witnessed in the constituency in recent times.

According to the supporters, Hon. Saheed sustained head injuries during the alleged assassination attempt.

Mutairu Rafiu was reportedly stabbed in the back while attempting to shield the lawmaker from attack.

Supporters also claimed that several women and elderly persons sustained injuries during the unrest, including Lois Babalola, Nosirat Ahmed and Ayanlaja Adijat.

In addition to the physical attacks, allegations of property destruction also emerged from parts of the constituency.

According to supporters of Hon. Saheed, the residence of the Olowogaba family was vandalised during the violence, while Isheri Town Hall reportedly suffered extensive damage.

Some of the injured persons were reportedly receiving treatment at Gbagada General Hospital and other medical facilities within the area.

The camp of Hon. Saheed called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and bring 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.

As tension continued to rise within the constituency following the incident, residents and party members appealed for calm and restraint among supporters of all aspirants.

As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State chapter of the APC had yet to officially respond to the allegations.

Responding to the allegations, Muritala Seriki denied any involvement in 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 Hon. 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.