Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has rejected accusations linking him to the disruption that rocked the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress in Akure, saying the unrest was triggered by supporters of competing aspirants.
The incident occurred during a stakeholders’ gathering ahead of the party’s ward congress in Ondo State. Armed individuals reportedly forced their way into the premises while party leaders were meeting, leaving several people injured.
Among those allegedly attacked was the state APC chairman, Ade Adetimehin.
An eyewitness had claimed the attackers were acting at the governor’s behest, but Aiyedatiwa firmly denied the allegation while speaking to members of the Ward Congress Committee later that evening.
According to him, the meeting was originally scheduled for the morning but was postponed until 2 p.m. to allow him to attend. He said he received reports of suspicious activity around the secretariat beforehand and promptly contacted security authorities.
The governor explained that upon hearing of possible threats, he reached out to the state’s Commissioner of Police to request immediate deployment of officers to safeguard the venue.
He maintained that the disturbance was caused by loyalists of different aspirants jostling for party positions, not by anyone acting on his instructions.
Security personnel, he added, were stationed at the secretariat before the stakeholders’ meeting commenced, ensuring order was restored.
Aiyedatiwa called on party faithful to exercise restraint and work together as the ward congress draws near.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Ward Congress Committee, Margaret Araruenu, voiced confidence that the congress would proceed smoothly, noting that adequate preparations had been concluded.
Another source disclosed that other prominent party figures, including a board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr Otito Atikase, and former Sports Commissioner Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, were among those reportedly assaulted during the melee.
The injured individuals were said to have received medical attention afterward.
