All Progressives Congress Chairman, Commissioner Beaten as Thugs Invade Ondo Secretariat

“Violence erupts at APC stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, Ondo State, as suspected thugs attack party leaders ahead of ward congress. Chairman, NDDC commissioner beaten; police launch investigation.”

Akure, Ondo State — A pre-congress stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State descended into chaos on Tuesday after suspected thugs stormed the party’s secretariat in Akure, assaulting top party officials and disrupting proceedings.

The attack occurred barely 24 hours before the APC’s scheduled ward congress across 203 wards in the state.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants, allegedly armed with dangerous weapons, invaded the venue during the meeting, threatening participants and warning against holding the congress. The attackers reportedly declared that the governor was in charge and that no one could question his authority.

Several party leaders sustained injuries during the invasion, including the state chairman, Ade Adetimehin; a commissioner representing the state on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Otito Atikase; and former Commissioner for Sports, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye. The victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention.

Adetimehin confirmed the assault, alleging that the attackers were sponsored to disrupt the meeting. He claimed he was beaten, dragged on the floor, and dispossessed of his phones, money, and wristwatch.

However, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, dismissed allegations linking the governor to the incident, describing the claims as unfounded and misleading. He maintained that the governor neither sanctioned nor had prior knowledge of the meeting.

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that officers responded swiftly to a distress call and restored order at the secretariat. The Police Public Relations Officer added that tactical teams had been deployed, and investigations were ongoing.

The violence has heightened political tension in Ondo State ahead of the APC ward congress.