Idanre, Nigeria — Violence erupted during a ward congress of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals and leaving multiple others injured. The disturbing clashes reportedly involved armed groups believed to be affiliated with local political factions.
The congress aimed to elect officials across the 203 wards in Ondo State. However, in Idanre Local Government Area, the gathering was abruptly interrupted by suspected political thugs, allegedly linked to the National Union of Road Transport Workers. Eyewitness accounts detail a chaotic scene as the armed assailants arrived in multiple vehicles, storming the venue near the party’s local secretariat and forcing attendees to flee.
Among the injured is Raphael Adetimehin, the younger brother of the party’s state chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin. Raphael suffered severe injuries during the attack and is currently in a coma at a private hospital. The elder Adetimehin condemned the violence, asserting that the assailants originally intended to target him.
Tensions reportedly escalated before the violence erupted, fueled by disputes between rival factions over delegate lists and executive positions. These disagreements quickly turned physical, culminating in gunfire that endangered many.
The violence was particularly intense in the outskirts of the state capital, notably in the Iju/Ita Ogbolu area, where confrontations delayed the congress for several hours. Security forces, including a combined team led by Commissioner of Police Lawal Adebowale and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, worked to restore order and disperse the attackers.
In a response from law enforcement, police spokesperson DSP Jimoh Abayomi confirmed that five individuals were harmed during the incident, with varying degrees of injuries reported. Two of the victims succumbed to their injuries and were taken to a local morgue. In addition, a vehicle was set ablaze during the unrest.
The Commissioner of Police visited the hospitalized victims to assess their conditions and pledged support from the police command. An investigation is underway to determine the details surrounding the attack and to identify and capture those responsible.
Party leaders have expressed their disapproval of the violence, labeling it a dire setback for internal democratic processes. The PBAT Mandate Elders Forum has called for an immediate investigation into the incidents of violence and has reached out to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervention.
With internal party dynamics impacted by this disruption, the political landscape in Ondo State may face significant challenges ahead as the authorities work to address the underlying issues that have led to such extreme measures.