Two killed as violence rocks Ondo APC congress

By Boye Oyeyemi –

More details have emerged from the ward congress of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, which descended into chaos on Wednesday following violent clashes in Idanre Local Government Area. Western Post reports that the clash left two people dead and several others injured.

The disturbance came barely a day after suspected political thugs attacked the party’s secretariat in Akure, disrupting a stakeholders’ meeting led by the state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, and reportedly assaulting several party members.

Eyewitnesses said the congress failed to hold in some wards in Idanre after armed hoodlums allegedly stormed the venues and attacked participants. The violence caused panic in the community, and at least one vehicle was reportedly set ablaze.

Among those affected was Raphael Adetimehin, a younger brother of the APC state chairman, who was attacked at his polling ward. The chairman explained that the attackers allegedly mistook his brother for him due to their close resemblance.

Raphael was reportedly shot and inflicted with machete wounds before being abandoned by the assailants, who believed he had died. His vehicle was also burnt during the attack, which the chairman described as a troubling escalation of political violence.

The Ondo State Police Command, in a statement by spokesperson DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed two deaths and three injuries during the crisis, which occurred around 11 a.m. The Commissioner of Police, with the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Oluyemi Ibiloye, led a joint security operation to restore calm.

Jimoh said the injured victims were receiving medical treatment and that an investigation had commenced to identify those responsible. Additional tactical operatives were deployed to maintain security and prevent further lawlessness.

Meanwhile, elders of the APC in the state, under the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, condemned the earlier attack on the party secretariat in Akure, where about 15 senior members were injured. In a statement signed by forum chairman Pa Erastus Akeju, the group called the assault unacceptable, urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure accountability, and restore stability within the party.