Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has rejected allegations that he sponsored the attack on leaders of the All Progressives Congress during a disrupted stakeholders’ meeting at the party’s secretariat.
The governor instead blamed aspirants contesting for party positions, accusing them of importing hoodlums who allegedly caused the violence and injured several leaders.
Armed political thugs suspected to be members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers reportedly stormed the party secretariat in Akure on Tuesday, attacking the state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, and others. Among those injured were a board representative of the Niger Delta Development Commission, former lawmakers, party chieftains, and aides, including the chairman’s driver.
Some party leaders alleged the attackers were sponsored by the governor and led by a transport union official. But speaking after a reconvened stakeholders’ meeting at the same venue, Aiyedatiwa insisted he had no role in the crisis, stating that the APC is “a family” and he could not authorize violence against members gathered for party business.
He explained that he was informed earlier about plans for the meeting and suggested it be moved from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. because he was attending a stakeholder’s 50th birthday celebration. According to him, he later received reports of suspicious individuals near the secretariat and immediately contacted security authorities, including the police, to ensure protection before his arrival.
The governor said the disturbance was caused by supporters of rival aspirants who were moving around the venue and creating tension, adding that security personnel were deployed and restored order before the meeting commenced peacefully. He also disputed claims that a formal stakeholders’ meeting had taken place earlier in the day, saying attendees were only arriving when the disruption occurred.
Aiyedatiwa further stated that he had directed the police and the Department of State Services to ensure peaceful ward and local government congresses across the state.
At the meeting, ward congress committee leaders briefed party members on preparations for the exercise, alongside representatives of screening and appeals committees from the party’s national secretariat. Party leaders from the three senatorial districts praised the peaceful screening process and pledged orderly conduct during the congress, while the Speaker of the State House of Assembly commended committee efforts and expressed confidence that the exercise would remain peaceful statewide.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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