At least two persons were reportedly killed on Wednesday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress in Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State, as violence erupted, leaving several others injured and a vehicle set ablaze.
The incident occurred less than 24 hours after suspected political thugs disrupted a stakeholders’ meeting at the party’s secretariat in Akure, which was presided over by the state APC chairman, Ade Adetimehin.
Sources in Idanre said the congress could not proceed in some wards after hoodlums allegedly attacked party members. One of the victims was identified as Raphael Adetimehin, the brother of the state APC chairman.
Reports indicate he was shot and macheted by suspected thugs who allegedly mistook him for the chairman.
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“My brother was attacked; those who attacked him thought I was the one because we resemble each other very well.
After shooting and macheting him, they left him when they thought he was dead. I don’t know why we are playing our politics to this extent,” Ade Adetimehin said.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said he would provide an update later.
The crisis underscores escalating tensions within the Ondo State chapter of the APC ahead of the party’s internal restructuring process.
On Tuesday, suspected thugs stormed the party secretariat in Akure, disrupting a stakeholders’ meeting, injuring several members and forcing an abrupt end to the proceedings.