BREAKING: Outcry over alleged opposition repression as NDC, ADC Lagos Governorship Candidates are tear-gassed at Lekki Toll Gate
By KEMI KASUMU
Tinubu, who swore to uphold, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and protest, as well as the right of political parties to contest elective offices, is himself seeking a renewed mandate in an electoral environment in which his government has faced allegations of intimidating credible opposition figures.
A gathering commemorating the sixth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos was disrupted by teargas on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, with governorship candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) among those affected.
The incident involved NDC governorship candidate Funso Doherty, his running mate, Tolani Animashaun, and ADC governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who were among those gathered at the historic location to mark the anniversary of the October 20, 2020, #EndSARS protests.
The NDC Deputy Governorship Candidate, Tolani Animashaun, confirmed the tear-gassing in a message to The DEFENDER shortly after the incident, saying she and others at the toll gate had been exposed to tear-gas.
A video obtained by this global online newspaper showed police officers including an Assistant Commissioner of Police, whose name could not be immediately known, addressing the crowd after the reported incident.
The gathering took place six years after the nationwide #EndSARS protests against police brutality, which brought the Lekki Toll Gate into the international spotlight.
Tuesday’s protest disruption, happening allegedly by the same All Progressives Congress (APC) government under which many protesters were killed even to the chagrin of the military high command in October 2020, comes amid intensifying political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Doherty and Rhodes-Vivour seeking to become Lagos State governor under different “opposition” political platforms.
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The incident has raised questions about the handling of political gatherings and opposition activities in Lagos as the state approaches another election cycle.
The DEFENDER reports that Lagos is widely regarded as the political stronghold of Nigeria’s current President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has continued to wield considerable political influence in the state since leaving office as governor in 2007.
Tinubu, who swore to uphold, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and protest, as well as the right of political parties to contest elective offices, is himself seeking a renewed mandate in an electoral environment in which his government has faced allegations of intimidating credible opposition figures.
The reported tear-gassing of opposition governorship candidates at the Lekki Toll Gate has therefore raised fresh questions about the protection of democratic rights and the freedom of opposition parties to participate in political activities without intimidation.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to issue an official explanation regarding the reported tear-gassing.
Details later……
