Violence Mars APC Ward Congress in Oluyole

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State on Saturday left several party members injured after a violence clash erupted.

According to reports, one of the injured persons was Mr Idowu Oyawale, who served as the campaign Director General of a House of Representatives member in the last general elections, Ms Tolulope Akande-Sadipe.

It was disclosed that he sustained severe injuries during the exercise and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The ward congress was organised by the ruling party to elect ward executives across the local government’s wards.

However, it was disrupted at Olomi Ward 7 by suspected heavily-armed political thugs allegedly linked to a member of the party.

It was claimed that the thugs invaded the congress venue at Olomi Basic School 1, dispersing party members and officials supervising the exercise, with stones, clubs and other weapons.

Eyewitnesses said tensions escalated unprovoked over delegates’ lists and ward executive positions. The disagreement reportedly degenerated into physical altercations before the violent attacks on some party members.

It was learnt that security operatives led a tactical team to restore order, peace, and disperse the attackers.

Reacting to the incident, some party leaders and elders condemned the violence, describing it as unfortunate and capable of undermining the credibility of the internal democratic process.

The leaders have called on party chieftains and President Bola Tinubu to immediately order an investigation into the violent attacks.