Chaos in Akure: APC chairman beaten ahead of ward congress

A pre-congress stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State descended into chaos on Tuesday as armed intruders stormed the party secretariat in Akure.

The violent incident occurred less than 24 hours before the nationwide ward congress across the state’s 203 wards.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, allegedly armed with cutlasses and other weapons, declared their allegiance to a faction led by Aiyedatiwa, warning that anyone opposing them would face deadly consequences.

Leaders targeted

Several prominent party figures were assaulted during the attack. State chairman Ade Adetimehin, a commissioner on the Niger Delta Development Commission board, Otito Atikase, and former Sports Commissioner Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye were reportedly beaten, with victims rushed to hospital for treatment.

Adetimehin alleged that the attack was orchestrated to disrupt the meeting and claimed that the assailants also seized his phones, money, and wristwatch.

Governor’s office denies involvement

The Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, dismissed allegations that Governor Aiyedatiwa sanctioned the attack, describing them as “unfounded and misleading.” He stressed that the governor promotes non-violence and political tolerance.

Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that officers swiftly intervened to restore order and that investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The shocking event has raised concerns about the security of political gatherings in Ondo State ahead of the APC congresses, highlighting the need for strict enforcement of law and order.