JUST IN: Ondo NURTW members disrupt APC stakeholders’ meeting, assault party chairman

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State was on Tuesday disrupted after suspected members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers allegedly invaded the party secretariat in Akure and attacked delegates ahead of the ward congresses.

Western Post had earlier reported that armed thugs reportedly invaded the stakeholders’ meeting.

In a latest development, the state APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, accused NURTW members led by their chairman, Ademola Odudu, of storming the venue with suspected thugs and violently dispersing participants.

Adetimehin alleged that he was personally assaulted during the invasion, claiming he was beaten, harassed and had his mobile phone seized while the attackers forced their way into the secretariat.

According to him, the stakeholders’ meeting was convened following directives from the party’s national leadership and had the backing of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa before it was disrupted. He explained that party leaders had assembled alongside government officials when the attackers allegedly ordered everyone to vacate the premises, insisting that no one should challenge the authority of the governor.

Confirming the development, the Ondo State Police Command said its operatives responded swiftly to a distress call, restored calm at the secretariat and commenced an investigation into the incident, adding that one injured person had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

The APC, in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, condemned the violence, describing the attack as unfortunate and insisting that the incident was unrelated to the forthcoming party congress.

The party said an internal review had begun to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the disruption, while assuring members that normal activities had resumed and reaffirming its commitment to peaceful and credible congresses across the state.