A pre-congress stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State was disrupted by violence on Tuesday after suspected thugs invaded the party’s state secretariat in Akure, leaving several party leaders injured.
The incident occurred less than 24 hours before the party’s ward congress scheduled to hold across 203 wards in the state.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who were armed with dangerous weapons, forced their way into the meeting venue and assaulted party officials.
One witness, Yetunde Adeyanju, alleged that the attackers claimed allegiance to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and warned party members against holding the congress in the state.
Those reportedly beaten during the attack include the Ondo State Chairman of the APC, Ade Adetimehin; a commissioner on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Otito Atikase; and a former Commissioner for Sports, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye.
Inside Ondo:
Bandits attack police station in Ondo
Gunmen abduct 10 travellers in Ondo
kidnappers kill herdsmen leader in Ondo
Gunmen kill health worker near Ondo airport
Five feared dead in Ondo communal clash
Ondo resident doctors embark on indefinite strike
The victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
Confirming the attack, Adetimehin alleged that the violence was sponsored to prevent the meeting from holding.
He said he was beaten and dragged on the floor, while his mobile phones, cash, and wristwatch were taken by the attackers.
Reacting to the allegations, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, denied any involvement of the state government or the governor in the incident.
He described the claims linking the governor to the attack as unfounded, false and misleading.
He said the governor was neither aware of the meeting nor connected to the violence, adding that the administration does not support political intimidation or thuggery.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying officers were deployed to the APC secretariat following a distress call.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, said the situation had been brought under control, while tactical teams were deployed to prevent further breakdown of law and order. He added that investigations into the attack were ongoing.
About the Author
Ya lo dije antes, Codere Casino rifa! Tienen juegos para todos los gustos y la plataforma es fácil de usar. Chequen codere casino y me dicen qué les parece.