A total of 63 political parties on Tuesday endorsed the governorship candidate of Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as thugs disrupted the party’s campaign flag off held at Skypower Ground, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, causing mayhem, that led many to run for dear life, including party leaders who were in attendance.
The 63 political parties chairmen who were earlier handed APC flags were led by the Lagos State Chairman of Accord Party, Otunba Ola Fatukasi, said they reached the decision based on the performance of APC in the state in the last 20 years.
The rally came to an abrupt halt around 2:45 pm when the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, was delivering his speech as some rampaging thugs believed to be from opposing camps of National Union Road Transport Worker (NURTW) were seen freely wielding dangerous weapons, including guns, knifes, cutlasses and charms and started attacking one another.
Findings showed that the clash was between supporters of the Treasurer, Lagos chapter of NURTW, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) and those suspected to be led by Mr Kunle Poly. Both of them are chieftains of APC.
It was gathered that the thugs later advanced towards the musical stage where popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde KWAM 1 was entertaining the party members and leaders, even as officers of Nigeria Police moved swiftly to stop them.
However, the thugs were unstoppable as they continued to engage one another brutally, with the Treasurer, Lagos chapter of NURTW, Alhaji Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), beaten to stupor and stabbed on his head.
Journalists, who came to cover the rally were not left out, as the rampaging thugs rained bullets towards them, wounding some of them on the process.
They include the Political Editor of The Nation Newspapers, Dr. Emmanuel Oladosu; the Cameraman of Ijoba Ibile TV, Mr. Abiodun Yusuf and New Telegraph reporter, Tope Ogunbanke, while a reporter with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Bolaji Buhari, had his working carted away by thugs who also used the opportunity to rob party supporters, passersby and other journalists of their belongings.
Some of the party leaders, including Honey. James Faleke, Senator Adeola Solomon (Yayi), and the Director of Mobilisation and Contacts, Mr Abdullahi Enilolobo, were also caught in the melee and had to run for safety.
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