Breaking: Car Burnt As Violence Disrupts APC Ward Congress In Ondo

Tension heightened in Idanre, Ondo State, on Wednesday as violence erupted during the ward congress of the ruling All Progressives Congress, leaving a vehicle burnt and several participants reportedly injured.

A video obtained by Western Post Nigeria showed a Toyota car engulfed in flames, while residents deserted the streets amid the chaos that accompanied the exercise.

Sources within the community said some party members sustained injuries during the unrest, although the exact number of casualties could not be immediately confirmed as of press time.

The incident came barely a day after the state Chairman of the APC, Engr Ade Adetimehin, accused members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers of disrupting a stakeholders’ meeting organised ahead of the ward congress.

Adetimehin, who spoke with journalists on Tuesday following an attack on the party secretariat along Ilesha Garage Road, alleged that NURTW members led by their chairman, Ambassador Ademola Odudu, stormed the venue and assaulted party officials and members.

According to him, the group forcefully gained entry into the secretariat, allegedly attacking those present and causing panic during the meeting. He claimed that the attackers accused party leaders of challenging the authority of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, an allegation he denied.

“Yesterday, the national secretariat of our party directed that a stakeholders’ meeting be held and asked us to assemble by noon. We complied, and the congress and appeal committees were present,” Adetimehin said.

He added, “While we gathered at the party secretariat, NURTW members arrived in large numbers, forced their way in and began assaulting people. They threw me to the ground, damaged my phone and beat me despite my earlier informing the commissioner of police about the planned meeting.”