Loyalists of a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tolulope Shadipe, have been fingered in the violence that trailed the local government congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oluyole.
However, sources close to the member of the House of Representatives disputed the claim, saying it was far from the truth.
The Congress, which was held on Saturday at Olomi Primary School, had proceeded peacefully with party faithful gathered to witness the emergence of new executives.
However, violence erupted immediately after Prince Dotun Oladipo from Ward 8 in the Idi Ayunre sector was announced as the newly elected chairman of the party in the local government.
Thugs in their scores started throwing stones at the APC officials conducting the exercise and the party leaders.
In the violence, many people, including old women, were badly injured.
The newly elected Youth Leader of the party, Tunde Garuba, commenced his duty on a sad note as he was brutally attacked by the thugs.
The apex leader of the party in the local government, Chief A. Adeyemo, was also hit by the stones and his car was badly damaged.
The newly elected Publicity Secretary of the party in the local government, Saheed Akilapa, said the peaceful Congress was thrown into chaos following a violent disruption carried out by a “faction loyal to the Honourable member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, Tolu Shadipe”.
Akilapa said he saw a scene of confusion as loyalists of Shadipe disrupted proceedings, threw stones, and caused panic among attendees
The disruption, according to him, led to serious scuffles, leaving several party members injured.
He, however, praised the prompt response of the security men and some party leaders who restored sanity and chased the thugs away.
Akilapa condemned the disruption, describing it as unfortunate and avoidable.
He stated that party leaders present at the Congress had immediately gone to lodge a formal complaint at the Sanyo Police Station in the area, while those who sustained injuries were rushed to the nearby hospital for medical attention.
He said: We conducted a peaceful Congress, and the process was transparent until it was disrupted by a faction loyal to Honourable Shadipe against the faction loyal to the newly elected chairman
“Our leaders have taken the matter to the Sanyo Police Station, and those wounded are currently receiving treatment.
“We believe in due process and will allow the authorities to investigate the incident.”
Akilapa, therefore, called on party members to remain calm and united, urging all to embrace internal democracy and respect the outcome of the congress.
He described the incident as a setback to party cohesion and a glaring case of oppression and wickedness on the part of Hon. Sadipe, who he said was elected to protect and defend her constituents.
