Aiyedatiwa denies role in APC secretariat violence as Ondo chairman recounts assault

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has denied allegations linking him to Tuesday’s  violent disruption of a stakeholders’ meeting at the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure, insisting he neither sponsored nor sanctioned any act of thuggery.

The governor’s reaction followed reports that suspected armed thugs stormed the party secretariat during a pre-ward congress meeting, assaulting several party leaders, including the state APC chairman, Ade Adetimehin.

Speaking at a subsequent meeting with members of the Ward Congress Committee at the party secretariat, Aiyedatiwa explained that he had been informed of security concerns around the venue before the meeting and immediately contacted the Commissioner of Police to ensure adequate protection.

“I was told there were some miscreants around the party secretariat. I asked that the Commissioner of Police be contacted, and I also personally called to ensure the place was secured because I was going to attend the meeting,” he said.

According to the governor, security operatives were deployed ahead of his arrival, and the disturbance was caused by clashes among supporters of different aspirants contesting party positions.

“Some miscreants who had sympathy for one aspirant or the other were trying to create a fracas among themselves, which led to the disturbance. The police assured that they would protect everyone,” he added.

The incident, which occurred less than 24 hours before the ward congress across the 203 wards in the state, reportedly left several party chieftains injured.

Adetimehin confirmed he was attacked during the invasion, alleging that the assailants stormed the meeting armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

“They beat leaders and members, except those aligned with them. I was beaten and dragged on the floor. My phones, money and wristwatch were taken,” he said.

Also reportedly assaulted were a commissioner on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Otito Atikase, and former Commissioner for Sports, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye. The injured were said to have received medical attention.

In a statement, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, described allegations against the governor as “unfounded, false and misleading,” maintaining that Aiyedatiwa does not condone violence or political intimidation.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that officers responded to a distress call and restored calm at the secretariat, adding that investigations into the incident were ongoing.

Despite the disruption, the chairman of the Ward Congress Committee in the state, Chief Margaret Araruenu, expressed confidence that party activities would proceed peacefully, assuring members that adequate security arrangements had been put in place.