By Our Correspondent
Suspected political thugs on Saturday invaded the private residence of former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi, in the Asi area of Ibadan North Local Government Area, destroying vehicles and other valuables worth millions of naira.
The violent incident, which left several people injured, has heightened political tension in Oyo State amid ongoing disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party over its state congress.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the residence in a coordinated operation, vandalising property and damaging vehicles parked within the compound.
At least ten individuals were reported to have sustained injuries during the violence, which occurred in different locations across the state.
The attack took place as factions within the Peoples Democratic Party conducted activities related to the party’s nationwide state congress scheduled for Saturday.
However, the Oyo State Police Command dismissed claims linking the incident directly to the party congress.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the attack and said security operatives had launched an investigation to identify those responsible.
According to him, unidentified hoodlums carried out the assault on Gbolarumi’s residence, but authorities have yet to establish a connection between the violence and the PDP congress.
Meanwhile, the chairman of one faction of the party in Oyo State, Abdulrahman Akinoso, alleged that similar incidents were recorded in other parts of the state during the same period.
He said violent disturbances were reported in Ibadan North, Ogbomoso South, Akinyele, and Igboora in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area.
According to Akinoso, several vehicles were damaged in the various incidents while at least ten people suffered injuries.
He added that three vehicles were specifically vandalised at Gbolarumi’s residence located on Are Avenue in the Bodija area of Ibadan, where members of the faction had gathered for the congress exercise.
The violence has further exposed divisions within the PDP in Oyo State as rival factions continue to struggle for control of the party’s structure ahead of future political contests.
In a related development, PDP stakeholders in Ogbomoso rejected attempts by certain individuals to organise what they described as an unauthorised congress aimed at installing factional executives.
The stakeholders insisted that the party structure in the state remains united under Governor Seyi Makinde’s leadership and warned that any attempt to form a parallel executive would not be recognised.
They urged party members to remain calm and avoid actions that could destabilise the party, while calling on authorities to ensure those responsible for the violence are brought to justice.
