Chaos broke out in Akure on Tuesday after armed thugs reportedly stormed a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), injuring party leaders and causing attendees to flee in panic, Starnews NG reported in a breaking news on Tuesday afternoon.
The incident occurred at the APC secretariat in Ondo State, where party leaders and officials had gathered on the eve of statewide ward congresses scheduled for Wednesday. The armed group, carrying cutlasses and other weapons, forced attendees out of the secretariat while shouting, “This is Ondo State, and nobody can control Ondo from Abuja.” Several party officials were reportedly assaulted, with some women and elders who tried to protect others also injured.
Starnews NG reports that the humiliation of APC State Chairman in the state, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, was particularly alarming, as he was reportedly made to sit on the floor during the chaos, with images of this incident now trending online.
Eyewitness accounts provide a vivid description of the mayhem. One anonymous witness stated, “Ahead of tomorrow’s congress, party leaders summoned members to meet on modalities. Around 1:00 PM, about 100 stern-looking armed thugs invaded the venue with weapons. They shouted everyone should move out; I overheard them saying you didn’t let him spend one year before forming rebellious meetings. Others were saying this is Ondo State, nobody can control Ondo from Abuja.”
Another witness recounted, “They came in shouting that we did not let him spend one year before forming rebellious meetings. They were violent and ruthless.”
Barrister Sola Ajisafe, who bravely recorded a video of himself after the incident, expressed his frustration, stating, “Yes, my name is Barrister Sola Ajisafe. I am one of the main opposition leaders to the Aiyedatiwa government in Ondo State. I’m a member of the All Progressive Congress. And today, we gathered at the State Secretariat for the stakeholders’ meeting that was supposed to be held there. But alas, Aiyedatiwa sent his guns to the place, and all hell was let loose.
WATCH VIDEO OF BARRISTER SOLA AJISAFE BELOW
“I was trying to rescue one elderly man who was almost fainted when one of the thugs recognised me. I know the guy. I pointed to him, ‘This is Ajisafe.’ And I was assaulted. They cut my clothes, took my phone, took my wristwatch, and took my party cards. They beat the hell out of me. I only got out of that place alive because another thug recognised me and pleaded for them to leave me alone.
“Let Aiyedatiwa know this: we are members of this party. We are the owners of this party. He cannot chase us out of this party. I have made myself the voice of the voiceless in this party. I have taken it upon myself to point out the misgovernance and the corrupt system that Aiyedatiwa is running in Ondo State.”
The attack caused widespread destruction of property, including broken chairs and scattered documents. By early afternoon, the secretariat was deserted, and uniformed personnel were seen assisting party members to leave safely. Eyewitnesses reported seeing armed uniformed men guiding panicked APC stakeholders out of the party secretariat.
The incident comes in light of recent reports by Starnews NG on the rising tensions between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as they jostle for control of the party structure ahead of the state congresses. This rivalry, previously dismissed as a mere “rumoured rift,” has now intensified, contributing to the volatile atmosphere.
Calls for an independent investigation are mounting from civil society organisations and opposition figures, stressing that political disagreements should not involve intimidation or violence. Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has yet to release an official statement, and the identity of the attackers has not been officially confirmed and no arrests have been made yet as at the time of this report.
The incident has raised serious security concerns ahead of Wednesday’s ward congresses. APC representatives in Akure declined to comment directly on the attack, issuing only a brief statement urging calm and adherence to due process.
As events continue to unfold, the image of Aiyedatiwa’s administration faces scrutiny as party leaders and supporters seek reassurances that such violence will not continue to plague the political landscape in Ondo State.d
Leave a Reply