Ward Congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which commenced nationwide on Saturday was marred by violence and irregularities in some part of Ondo state, particularly in Akure South and Ifedore local governments.
The exercise did not hold in some of the wards in the state, while it was disrupted with irregularities ranging from hoarding of forms, prevention of party members from participating and threat to lives in some other areas.
There were allegations that those perceived not to be in the camp of the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the Secretary to the Ondo state government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, were not allowed to participate in the congress.
In some local government particularly in Akoko area of the state, it was celebration of violence while in other areas, it was confusion galore.
Some members who spoke with our correspondent said, the congress was badly handled by the supporters of the governor.
In some voting centres visited by LEADERSHIP Sunday, the SSG, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, was also alleged to have led thugs round the 11 wards in Akure South local government to hijack the process.
The party members said, the SSG and in company of the State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Worker, (NURTW), Jacob Adebo and their boys allegedly took over all the centers armed with different kinds of weapons.
The people alleged that Abegunde had earlier threatened to impose his list on all of them in the local government.
A lawmaker representing Akure North and South Federal constituency, Hon. Afe Olowokere while confirming the development said, there was no congress anywhere in Akure.
According to him, “What happened in most of the supposed congress centers was that members of the National Union Road Transport Workers in Ondo state led by Idajo took over all the centers armed with different kinds of weapons.
Olowokere said, “They wounded some members and did not allow the congress to hold in all the centers in Akure South. When we discovered that, we appealed to all our members to leave in order to avoid loss of lives.
“We have photo evidence of our claims, of our members who were attacked and wounded. I’ve called the deputy governor of the state and reported the development to him. I’ve tried to reach out to Mr. Governor but I couldn’t get him.
“The next line of action is to let the governor and the leadership of the party know about it. We thank God there is provision for appeal, for members to report cases of this nature.”
