The police has intervened in the leadership crisis rocking the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following the purported removal of its state chairperson, Princess Oyeronok Bolajoko, by a group of party leaders.
The crisis erupted on Monday at the party's state secretariat, opposite Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan, where opposing factions engaged in heated exchanges over the legitimacy of Bolajoko's removal and the emergence of a new leadership.
The group that announced her removal accused the embattled chairperson of gross misconduct, abuse of office, administrative high-handedness and violation of the party's constitution.
The development reportedly followed consultations among party leaders and members drawn from the 33 local government areas of the state.
However, Bolajoko rejected the decision, describing the exercise as a show of shame and insisting that those behind it lacked the authority to remove her.
Amid the tension, police operatives arrived at the party secretariat to maintain order and forestall a possible escalation of the confrontation.
Speaking on the development, Aare Adeola Olamide Ebisemiju, the NDC State Campaign Coordinator of the National Campaign Council, defended the decision to remove Bolajoko, alleging that her conduct violated the party's rules and constitutional provisions.
He said the decision was reached after consultations with party stakeholders across the state, adding that the motion for her removal was moved by him and seconded by members present at the gathering.
Following the announcement, Hon. Akeem Aderemi Aderogba was presented as the new chairman-elect of the party in the state.
In his remarks, Aderogba pledged to provide responsible and inclusive leadership, assuring members that his administration would not be run as a one-man affair.
The party's governorship candidate in the state, Akeem Adebola Yussuf, also confirmed the disturbance at the secretariat, disclosing that the police has invited those involved in the crisis.
He acknowledged the intervention of security operatives as tensions mounted over the leadership dispute.
However, Bolajoko maintained that she remained the legitimate state chairperson, dismissing the purported removal as unlawful.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, she denied the allegations of misconduct and abuse of office, insisting that there was no justification for the action against her.