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Following the attack by hoodlums on stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State at its Secretariat in Akure on Tuesday, two persons have been confirmed dead.
The thugs who were alleged to be sponsored by a powerful bloc in the APC fold, attacked a meeting of the party members as decisions were being taken in relation to the ongoing Congress of the party.
The violence was reported at different ward congresses in the state.
A brother to the Chairman of the party in the state, Ralph Adetimehin, was reportedly shot at his ward in Idanre, before he was rushed to a hospital in coma.
Raphael’s vehicle was also set ablaze by the assailants during the attack.
Confirming the incident, the state party chairman, Ade Adetimehin said the attackers mistook his brother for him because of their close resemblance.
”They targeted my brother because they thought he was me. They shot him several times but bullets could not penetrate, so, he was cut several times with a cutlass and is now in a coma at the hospital,” Mr Adetimehin said.
The APC chairman alleged that the attack was politically motivated and carried out by hoodlums sponsored by a former member of the House of Representatives, whom he described as an ally of Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“These hoodlums were sponsored. This was a deliberate attack, and it was meant for me. I appeal to the President and the leadership of our party to step in before this situation gets completely out of hand,” he said.
The Ondo State Government reacted to the allegations, saying the governor had nothing to do with the violence.
Mr Ajanaku said the allegation was an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the administration of the Governor.
“It is stated categorically that Governor Aiyedatiwa was neither aware of nor connected to the said meeting and could not have sanctioned any act of thuggery,” the statement read.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the outbreak of violence, noting that five persons yet to be identified were reportedly attacked, and a vehicle was set ablaze.
“Three victims sustained varying degrees of injury and are currently receiving medical attention while two others were confirmed dead at the hospital,” the Police Spokesperson, said.
”The Commissioner of Police visited the injured victims to assess their condition and assured them of the Command’s support.
“The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal alongside the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oluyemi Ibiloye, personally led a combined team of security operatives to the scene. Their timely intervention ensured the restoration of peace and order in the affected area.
“Investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack and to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act.”
However, sources close to the Chairman of the party indicated that Ralph Adetimehin, may not have made it, as unconfirmed reports suggested he eventually died from the wounds he sustained.
It was also gathered that the ward congress was disrupted by violence in Akure North Local Government Area, particularly in Iju, where clashes were said to have marred the process.