The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos State, Funso Doherty, has described the confrontation between supporters of his party and suspected political thugs at a town hall meeting in Oregun as evidence that former presidential candidate Peter Obi still enjoys considerable support in Lagos and across Nigeria.
Doherty said the incident, which occurred on Thursday, demonstrated that political intimidation would not stop people from expressing their political beliefs or supporting candidates of their choice.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, the NDC candidate declared that the political contest was far from over, insisting that the incident had strengthened rather than weakened the resolve of Obi’s supporters.
“It’s game on,” Doherty said, while reflecting on the confrontation at the town hall.
He also disclosed that several vehicles were damaged during the incident, allegedly by suspected political thugs, raising fresh concerns about political violence and intimidation ahead of the 2027 general election.
The confrontation has since drawn attention to the political atmosphere in Lagos, particularly the growing contest over Peter Obi’s influence and support base in the state.
Doherty maintained that the resistance shown by attendees during the incident was a clear indication that Obi continued to enjoy significant public affection, despite the political challenges surrounding his supporters.
The incident comes amid increasing political realignments and heightened competition among opposition figures as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, concerns over the alleged activities of political thugs have renewed calls for security agencies to ensure that political gatherings remain peaceful and that citizens can participate in democratic activities without fear of intimidation.
