Violence broke out on Tuesday at the Ondo State secretariat of the All Progressives Congress when suspected thugs stormed a pre-congress stakeholders’ meeting, leaving several party leaders injured. The attack happened in Akure less than a day before the party’s ward congress scheduled to take place across the 203 wards in the state.
According to eyewitnesses, the meeting was ongoing when a group of armed men forced their way into the venue. The attackers were said to be carrying cutlasses and other weapons. Witnesses claimed the group disrupted the gathering and assaulted party members present at the secretariat.
Among those affected were the state APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, a member of the Niger Delta Development Commission board, Otito Atikase, and a former Commissioner for Sports, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye. Several other leaders and members were also injured during the chaos. The victims were later taken to hospitals for medical attention.
Adetimehin confirmed that he was attacked during the incident. He said the invaders beat him, dragged him on the ground and took away personal belongings, including mobile phones and money. He alleged that the attackers were sponsored to stop the meeting from holding.
Some eyewitnesses claimed the assailants made statements opposing the planned ward congress and threatened anyone who insisted on discussing it. The disruption created panic within the secretariat and forced the meeting to end abruptly.
However, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, denied claims linking the governor to the attack. He described the allegations as false and stated that the governor was not aware of the meeting and did not support any form of violence or intimidation in political matters.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that the police received a distress call and quickly deployed officers to the scene. He said the intervention of security operatives restored calm at the secretariat. Tactical teams were also stationed in the area to prevent further unrest, while investigations into the incident have begun.
The incident has raised concerns within the party ahead of the ward congress, which is part of preparations for internal elections in the state. Party members are now calling for tighter security to ensure peaceful conduct of upcoming activities.
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