APC Congress: Tinubu Summons Aiyedatiwa Over Killings

Strong indications emerged yesterday night that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had a meeting with the Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in Abuja over the killings that trailed the conduct of the ward congress of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday.

According to a source at Government House in Akure, the Ondo state capital, the governor was summoned late on Thursday following a series of security reports at the disposal of President Tinubu.

It was gathered that the governor had had an audience with the President on Thursday night at the Presidential Villa.

“We were already mobilising for our Isaiah line-up activities on Wednesday evening for the one-year anniversary of the governor’s being in office when we suddenly got the information that Mr Governor would not be available the following day, which was Thursday.

“We learnt Mr President is very angry over the killings and wanted to know from the governor what went wrong, even though the state has no clear opposition against the APC.

“We knew it would get to this because the attack on the stakeholders in the first place was uncalled for, and some of us can only advise that we cannot enforce our opinions, so we keep our calm. We knew this would come, and we don’t need such drag back at all in the state “, a source close to the party in the state said.

The ward congress of the APC in Ondo State on Wednesday turned violent, leaving two people dead and several others injured in Idanre Local Government Area.

The incident came barely 24 hours after political thugs attacked the APC Secretariat in Akure, disrupting a stakeholders meeting presided over by the state chairman, Ade Adetimehin. Adetimehin was assaulted just as no fewer than fifteen persons were badly injured.

A former member of the State House of Assembly, Success Torukerijoh, as well as the immediate past chairman of Ile-oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo local government council, Dayo Akinsuroju, are in critical conditions in unnamed medical facilities in the state capital.

On Wednesday, reports indicated that the congress could not hold in some wards in Idanre after suspected hoodlums attacked party members. Vehicles were reportedly set ablaze during the crisis.

One of the victims is the brother of the APC chairman, Raphael Adetimehin, who was brutally attacked by the suspected political thugs at his ward in Idanre.

The APC chairman, Adetimehin, who confirmed the incident, said his brother was attacked by the hoodlums.

He said his brother was shot and hacked with a machete while the attackers allegedly burnt his car.

But the governor has denied any involvement in the crisis.

His words: “I got a call from the party chairman, who is Ade Adetimehin, that there is going to be a stakeholders’ meeting, which I also approved, but I told them it should be fixed for 2 p.m. because I was attending the 50th birthday of one of the stakeholders, who is a cabinet member of our party. I said the meeting should be fixed for about 2 p.m.

“Normally, we have stakeholders’ meetings, and as the governor, I am always in attendance, alongside the Speaker and the Deputy Governor. All of us are always present at every stakeholders’ meeting. ‎In the first quarter of this year, we had one in January, before the state’s anniversary.’’

But a statement by the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that two people were killed and three others injured in Idanre. The attack, according to the statement, occurred around 11 am, adding that a vehicle was set ablaze.

“Subsequently, the Commissioner of Police, alongside the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, CC Oluyemi Ibiloye, personally led a combined team of security operatives to the scene.

“Their timely intervention ensured the restoration of peace and order in the affected area,” the statement read.

Jimoh added, “Three victims sustained varying degrees of injury and are currently receiving medical attention, while two others were confirmed dead at the hospital.

APC elders condemn attacks

Meanwhile, Ondo State APC elders under the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum condemned Tuesday’s attack on the party secretariat in Akure. During the assault, 15 elders were reportedly injured and are receiving treatment in the hospital.

The elders described the incident as a violation of democratic principles, party discipline, and the rule of law.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Pa Erastus Akeju, the forum said, “The violent assault and public humiliation of the Ondo State APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, alongside respected party leaders and stakeholders, by hoodlums masquerading as political actors, which is utterly reprehensible.

“Such lawlessness is unacceptable in any democratic society, more so within a party that prides itself on progressive values, internal democracy, and respect for constituted authority.”

Akeju called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, stating, “The President’s lifelong commitment to democracy, justice, and institutional order must now find expression in restoring sanity, ensuring accountability, and reaffirming that violence will never be rewarded in our party.”

He further urged the National Chairman of the APC, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, and the National Working Committee to act swiftly, emphasising the need for thorough investigation, appropriate sanctions, and clear directives to reinforce discipline and security across party structures nationwide.

“Let me state clearly and without equivocation that intimidation, thuggery, and physical violence have no place in politics.

“The APC was not built by brigandage; it was built by ideas, dialogue, and the collective will of Nigerians who believe in democratic governance.

“When leaders are beaten, and elders are disgraced within the precincts of a party secretariat, the very foundation of political order is threatened.

“On behalf of the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, Ondo State, I condemn this incident in the strongest terms.

“It is an assault not only on individuals, but on the integrity of the All Progressives Congress itself. Silence or indifference in the face of such brutality would embolden impunity and invite further chaos,” the statement added