Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed security agencies to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the violent disruptions that occurred during the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congresses in parts of the state.
The congress, conducted across 203 wards, was marred by unrest in Idanre Local Government Area, where suspected political thugs reportedly interfered with proceedings. The violence later spread to Iju/Ita-Ogbolu in Akure North, resulting in clashes. Police confirmed that two people died and three others were injured. Among the victims, Raphael Adetimehin, younger brother of the state APC chairman, Ade Adetimehin, was reportedly beaten and is in a coma at an Akure hospital.
In a statement, the governor’s spokesman, Ebenezer Adeniyan, condemned the violence and stressed that Aiyedatiwa had no connection to the unrest. “The pockets of violence witnessed during the ward congress are not linked to the governor. He immediately called on security agencies to restore order and ensure the safety of all participants”, the statement read.
The governor reiterated his commitment to party unity and instructed security operatives to maintain calm in the affected areas while thoroughly investigating the incidents to bring perpetrators to justice.
