OLUYOLE/Nigeria: The ward congress of the All Progressives Congress in Oluyole Local Government Area turned violent on Saturday after clashes reportedly left several party members injured and forced security operatives to intervene.
The exercise, convened to elect ward executives across the council, was disrupted at Olomi Ward 7 when suspected armed thugs allegedly linked to Abiodun Gbolagade, an aspirant for the 2027 Oluyole Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, stormed the venue and attacked participants.
Witnesses said the attackers descended on party members and officials supervising the process at Olomi Basic School 1, wielding stones, clubs, and other weapons. The unrest reportedly left multiple persons wounded, including Hon. Idowu Oyawale, campaign Director-General to Tolulope Akande-Sadipe during the last general elections, who was said to have sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving hospital treatment.
Sources at the scene disclosed that tensions had risen earlier over disputes concerning delegates’ lists and ward executive positions, which degenerated into physical confrontations before the violent assault. Eyewitnesses alleged the attack targeted supporters believed to be loyal to Akande-Sadipe, escalating what began as a political disagreement into open violence.
One eyewitness recounted that several individuals, including party members from different wards, were assaulted during the incident, while an elderly woman was reportedly slapped amid the chaos. The same group was also accused of carrying out similar attacks in Ward 2 and Ward 7 during earlier ward primary activities.
Security personnel later arrived with a tactical team to restore order and disperse the attackers, allowing calm to return to the area.
Reacting to the development, party elders and stakeholders condemned the violence, describing it as regrettable and dangerous to the credibility of the party’s internal democratic process. They called for an immediate investigation and urged Bola Ahmed Tinubu and party leadership to ensure those responsible are identified and sanctioned.
The incident has heightened concerns within party circles about escalating tensions ahead of future electoral contests, with observers warning that unchecked violence during internal exercises could deepen divisions and weaken party unity.
