Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed security agencies to track down and prosecute those responsible for the violence that disrupted the ward congress of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State.
The congress, held on Wednesday across the state’s 203 wards, turned violent in parts of Idanre Local Government Area, where suspected political thugs allegedly linked to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers disrupted the exercise.
The unrest reportedly spread to some communities on the outskirts of the state capital, particularly in Iju/Ita-Ogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area, where violent clashes occurred.
The police confirmed that two people died, while three others sustained injuries during the attacks.
Among the victims was Mr. Raphael Adetimehin, a younger brother of the APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, who was reportedly brutalised during the clash and is currently in a coma at a hospital in Akure.
Condemning the violence yesterday, Governor Aiyedatiwa distanced himself from the disturbances, insisting that the pockets of violence had nothing to do with his administration.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor described himself as a leader committed to party unity. He said he had ordered security agencies to restore peace in the affected areas immediately.
He added that the governor had directed security agencies to investigate the crisis in Idanre to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice.
“The pockets of issues in the ward congress of the party have nothing to do with the governor, and that was why he called on security agencies to restore order at the Party Secretariat on Tuesday.
“Mr. Governor has also called on security agencies to investigate the crisis that took place in Idanre and bring the perpetrators to justice.
