A pre-congress stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State descended into violence on Tuesday after suspected thugs stormed the party’s state secretariat in Akure, leaving several party leaders injured.
The attack occurred less than 24 hours before the APC’s nationwide ward congress scheduled across 203 wards in Ondo State, heightening political tension within the party.
Eyewitnesses Allege Threats, Weapons Used
An eyewitness, Yetunde Adeyanju, said the attackers arrived armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, claiming allegiance to the state governor.
According to her, the assailants reportedly declared that no congress would hold in Ondo and threatened anyone who questioned the governor’s authority.
Another source confirmed that those assaulted included the Ondo APC State Chairman, Ade Adetimehin; a commissioner on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Otito Atikase; and former Commissioner for Sports, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Adetimehin Speaks on Attack
Adetimehin confirmed the incident, alleging that the thugs were sponsored to disrupt the meeting.
“They beat me and dragged me on the floor. They took away my two phones, money, and wristwatch,” he said, describing the invasion as coordinated and targeted.
Ondo Government Denies Involvement
Reacting to the allegations, Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, dismissed claims linking the governor to the violence. He described the accusations as “unfounded, false and misleading,” insisting the governor does not support political intimidation or thuggery.
Police Restore Calm, Launch Investigation
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the disruption. Police spokesperson Abayomi Jimoh said officers responded swiftly to a distress call and restored order at the APC secretariat.
He added that tactical units have been deployed to prevent further breakdown of law and order, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The Ondo APC crisis underscores rising political tension ahead of the ward congress, raising concerns about internal party stability and security in the state.
