A wave of political violence erupted across Oyo State on Saturday as suspected hoodlums launched targeted attacks on the local government congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike.
The incidents, which occurred across several key municipalities, have left at least ten individuals with varying degrees of injury and resulted in the widespread vandalism of private vehicles.
The PDP in Oyo State remains deeply divided between two primary blocs: one aligned with the incumbent Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the other with Mr Wike. The violence broke out as the Wike-led faction attempted to conduct its scheduled local government congresses.
According to reports, the proceedings were violently interrupted by thugs who allegedly arrived in large convoys to displace party members and destroy property.
The Chairman of the Wike-aligned faction, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso, confirmed the scale of the attacks in a telephone briefing. He noted that the incursions were not isolated, occurring almost simultaneously across different regions of the state.
“Our local government congresses were attacked across Oyo State,” Professor Akinoso stated. “Ibadan North, Ogbomoso South, Igboora in Ibarapa Central, and Akinyele were all affected. About 10 people were attacked across the state.”
Former Deputy Governor and party chieftain, Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi, provided a harrowing account of the assault on his residence, which served as a venue for the congress. He alleged that the attackers arrived with overwhelming force to disrupt the democratic process.
“We saw them. They came in 15 buses when the congress was going on,” Barrister Gbolarumi recounted. “They attacked us and destroyed about eight vehicles.”
The authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding arrests, but the escalation of hostilities has raised significant concerns regarding the internal security and political stability of the state as factional tensions continue to simmer.
Leave a comment