Violence marred the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress in Ondo State on Wednesday, leaving at least two persons feared dead and several others injured, as internal party crisis escalated across multiple local government areas.
The unrest in Idanre Local Government Area was believed to be linked to the earlier disruption at the party’s state secretariat in Akure on Tuesday, where suspected hoodlums invaded a stakeholders’ meeting and brutally assaulted party leaders.
Among those targeted was Raphael Adetimehin, younger brother of the state APC caretaker chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin. The chairman alleged that the attack was politically motivated and carried out by hoodlums linked to former House of Representatives member, Tajudeen Adefisoye, whom he described as an ally of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“They targeted my brother because they thought he was me. They shot at him several times but when the bullets did not penetrate, he was cut repeatedly with a cutlass,” Ade Adetimehin said.
However, a family source disclosed that Raphael may not have survived the brutal attack. The source added that two other men, including one who was driving a Toyota Venza, were fatally shot during the violence. The identities of the victims were yet to be officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
One of the victims of the attack, Mr. Akinmolejuni, who was said to be on a visit to the area, recounted his narrow escape from death. He disclosed that his vehicle was riddled with bullets by the attackers.
“I was on a visit when the shooting started suddenly. My car was hit several times by bullets. It was by sheer luck that I escaped alive,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command said five persons were attacked and a vehicle was set ablaze during the chaos.
The Police Public Relations Officer stated that three of the victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were receiving treatment, while two others were confirmed dead at the hospital.
Following the outbreak of violence, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, alongside the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oluyemi Ibiloye, led a joint security team to the affected areas and restored normalcy.
The police said investigations were ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the killings and violence.
Meanwhile, in Akure South Local Government Area, pockets of protest erupted earlier over the appointment of a returning officer, disrupting the congress process before security operatives intervened to restore order.
In Akure North Local Government Area, violence also broke out, leaving several persons injured, including the council chairman, Hon. Johnson Ogunbolude, and other party members.
Reacting to the violence, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa insisted that he had nothing to do with the pockets of violence recorded during the congress.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor said the incidents were not connected to him and noted that he had directed security agencies to restore order and investigate the crisis.
The governor also called on security agencies to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice, urging aspirants contesting for party positions to caution their supporters, stressing that his administration would not tolerate any breakdown of law and order in any part of the state.
The wave of violence has heightened tension within the party and raised serious concerns over the safety of members and the credibility of the congress across the state.
