Hoodlums, thought to be linked to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), stormed the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Ondo State on Tuesday.
The APC chairman, Engr Ade Adetimehin, and several party officials were injured during the incident.
Among those hurt were Hon Otito Atikase, who represents Ondo State on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), former lawmaker Hon Success Torhukerhojo, former Deputy Speaker Hon Abayomi Akinruntan, the chairman's driver Friday Ogbaide, Hon Dayo Akinsuroju, a former local government chairman, and Hon Saka-Yusuf Ogunleye, a former Commissioner.
The trouble erupted when the thugs reportedly interrupted a routine stakeholders’ meeting of the APC, causing party members to scatter in panic and halting the proceedings.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the assailants, armed with sticks, machetes, and other makeshift weapons, burst onto the scene unexpectedly, shouting threats at participants.
Attendees fled in various directions to escape the violence, and within minutes, the meeting space was vacated. Several party members and supporters sought refuge in nearby buildings, while others fled the area entirely.
Residents nearby described the chaos as party members fled the secretariat. Many vehicles reportedly sped away as meeting attendees hurried to leave before the situation escalated further.
In a statement following the incident, Adetimehin explained that the meeting was intended to prepare for the upcoming Ward Congress of the party set for Wednesday. He mentioned that he had previously met with a delegation from the Congress Committee in Abuja, which had required a stakeholders' meeting that was interrupted by the thugs.
Adetimehin stated that he was assaulted and thrown to the ground by the hoodlums, whom he identified as NURTW members.
“The assailants came in force and ordered everyone to leave, claiming the governor owns the party. We assured them we were not challenging anyone’s authority, but they still attacked us, and I had my phones and wristwatch stolen from my pockets,” he detailed.
He further noted, “They threatened to kill us and sporadically fired shots. Many of our members are now hospitalized due to injuries. When they realized they could not harm me, they turned on my driver and severely beat him. Numerous individuals suffered injuries. Their stated aim upon arrival was to oppose the Congress.”
Former Commissioners who escaped, Mrs. Yetunde Adeyanju and Yusuf-Ogunleye, claimed that the attack was orchestrated by NURTW's chairman, Mr. Ademola Odudu, with backing from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Adeyanju recounted, “I witnessed everything. We went there for the meeting, but suddenly, thugs arrived claiming allegiance to Aiyedatiwa, stating ‘We don’t want Congress in Ondo State. The governor controls everything here, and anyone who speaks about Congress will be killed.'”
A party leader who avoided the assault, Asiwaju Muyiwa Asagunla, called on the governor to avoid taking the state back to darker times by employing political thugs in settling scores.
“I pray this government led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa doesn’t regress us to past experiences. I was physically present at the Secretariat when around 200 hoodlums led by NURTW representatives barged in, ordering everyone to exit while declaring there would be no congress,” he said.
“They threatened everyone, with the elderly and youth fleeing for their lives. I had to help some individuals who were nearly trampled. What occurred today in Ondo State’s political scene is alarming and very troubling,” Asagunla added, emphasizing the deterioration of political discourse.
Footage from the incident circulated online, capturing Adetimehin shouting, “They beat me mercilessly today.” As of this report, the governor’s team has yet to respond to these developments.
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