President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has allegedly summoned Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to Abuja over the killings and violence that trailed Wednesday’s ward congress of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
A source close to the Government House in Akure disclosed that the summons was dispatched late Thursday following a series of security reports made available to the President.
Although it was unclear at press time whether Governor Aiyedatiwa had met with President Tinubu, findings revealed that the governor, who had lined up activities to mark his one year in office, travelled to Abuja on Thursday evening ahead of the scheduled meeting on Friday.
According to the source, preparations were already in top gear for the anniversary programmes when news filtered in that the governor would not be available on Thursday.
The APC ward congress in Ondo State on Wednesday turned violent, leaving two people dead and several others injured in Idanre Local Government Area.
The incident occurred barely 24 hours after political thugs attacked the APC Secretariat in Akure, disrupting a stakeholders’ meeting presided over by the state chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin. Adetimehin was assaulted during the attack, while no fewer than 15 persons were reportedly badly injured.
A former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Success Torukerijoh, and the immediate past chairman of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Local Government Council, Dayo Akinsuroju, were said to be in critical condition in undisclosed medical facilities in the state capital.
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 was identified as the brother of the APC state chairman, Raphael Adetimehin, who was attacked at his ward in Idanre by suspected political thugs.
Confirming the incident, Adetimehin said his brother was assaulted by hoodlums who allegedly mistook him for the chairman due to their close resemblance.
“My brother was attacked; those who attacked him thought I was the one because we resemble each other very well. After shooting and stabbing him, they left him when they thought he was dead. I don’t know why we are taking politics to this extent,” Adetimehin stated.
The Ondo State Police Command, in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that two persons were killed and three others injured in Idanre. The attack, according to the police, occurred around 11 a.m., and 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 that three victims sustained varying degrees of injury and were receiving medical attention, while two others were confirmed dead at the hospital.
Akeju called on President Tinubu to intervene, noting that the President’s lifelong commitment to democracy, justice and institutional order must reflect in restoring sanity, ensuring accountability, and reaffirming that violence would never be rewarded in the party.
He also urged the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and members of the National Working Committee to act swiftly by instituting a thorough investigation, imposing appropriate sanctions, and issuing 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.