Suspected Political Thugs Disrupt APC Meeting In Ondo, Seven People Injured

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

It was pandemonium in Ondo state on Sunday as some suspected hoodlums invaded the All Progressive Congress secretariat in Ondo, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of the state, and disrupted the meeting where seven people were injured as well as the party chairman, Mr. Aro Bernard.

It was gathered that the political thugs who were said to be about 20 in number invaded the venue of the meeting after overpowering some members of the party.

According to a party member, Tope Adekunle disclosed that the hoodlums who were armed with cudgels, sticks, cutlass, and knives were led by one Garba who monitored the beating and harassment of party members.

It was gathered that the thugs who destroyed the party Secretariat during the party’s monthly meeting beat the party chairman, Bernard to a pulp while seven others were rushed to the hospital after sustaining various degrees of injuries from the attack

Adekunle, however, accused the Caretaker Chairman of the council, Mr. Adewale Adelakun of masterminding the attack over his allegation that the party members did not vote for him during the last election.

He said, “Some political thugs working on the instruction of the Caretaker Council Chairman invaded the venue of our meeting and disrupted the meeting, injuring eight people in the process, including our chairman.

“It is sad that the Council Chairman is now re-introducing cultism in Ondo town, despite the fact that traditional ruler and Chiefs of Ondo town has administered oath for people to desist from cultism.

“But we are surprised to see a notorious cultist, who flee the town during the war against cultism to lead some hoodlums to disrupt APC meeting on the order of Adelakun.”

Meanwhile, the party members have called for the removal of Adelakun as the Council Chairman if he failed to allow peace to reign in the community, adding that the state party chairman, Ade Adetimehin has been notified on the development.

Reacting on the development, the Publicity Secretary of APC in the state, Alex Kalejaye stated that, “The disruption of a peaceful meeting was most unfortunate. The party will thoroughly investigate the ugly development, and take necessary steps to nib a recurrence in the bud.”