The Ondo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Ade Adetimehin, has narrated how he was allegedly assaulted and dispossessed of his phones during Tuesday’s violent attack at the party secretariat in Akure.
Speaking to press after the incident, Adetimehin alleged that members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), led by their chairman, identified as Odudu, forcefully invaded the secretariat and physically assaulted him.
According to him, the crisis began after the national leadership of the party called for a stakeholders’ meeting and directed members to assemble.
“The national called for stakeholders’ meeting and asked us to assemble by 12. This morning, we all assembled at the party secretariat, when the NURTW, led by their chairman Odudu, came forcefully, beat the hell out of me and carted away all my phones,” he said.
Adetimehin alleged that he had earlier informed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa about the situation but accused individuals loyal to the governor of orchestrating the attack.
“The governor called me and I narrated the whole thing. He now mobilised the NURTW. They beat the hell out of me and carried all my phones. I have reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the National Secretary of the APC had sent members of the congress and appeal committees to the state, and that a meeting was held with the governor’s Special Adviser, Babatunde Kolawole, where it was agreed that the stakeholders’ meeting would go ahead as planned.
“Yesterday, the National Secretary of our great party sent the congress and appeal committees. They met us at the party secretariat alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor, Babatunde Kolawole, and we agreed that the stakeholders’ meeting would hold today,” he said.
Adetimehin, however, claimed that the attackers acted to enforce the governor’s authority within the party.
“They told me the governor owns the party and nobody should challenge his authority,” he alleged.
The APC chairman said the incident had been formally reported to the police and called for urgent intervention by the national leadership of the party and security agencies.
The attack has further exposed deep divisions within the Ondo State chapter of the APC ahead of the forthcoming party congress.
