Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has denied allegations that he sponsored thugs to disrupt a stakeholders’ meeting at the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress in Akure.
The denial follows an incident in which armed men reportedly stormed the party secretariat during a pre-ward congress meeting presided over by the state APC chairman, Ade Adetimehin. Several persons were said to have been injured in the disturbance, with reports that the chairman was among those assaulted.
An eyewitness had alleged that the attackers were acting on behalf of the governor, a claim Aiyedatiwa strongly refuted.
Speaking later on Tuesday at a meeting with members of the Ward Congress Committee at the party secretariat, the governor explained that the stakeholders’ meeting was initially scheduled for 10 a.m. but was shifted to 2 p.m. to enable him attend.
According to him, he received information about security concerns around the secretariat and immediately contacted the Commissioner of Police to ensure adequate security.
“I got a call that there were miscreants around the party secretariat. I asked that the Commissioner of Police be contacted, and I also personally called to ensure the place was protected because I was going to attend the meeting,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa added that security operatives were deployed to secure the venue before the meeting commenced. He attributed the disturbance to supporters of different aspirants contesting party positions, who he said engaged in a fracas among themselves.
The governor urged party members to remain calm and united ahead of the ward congress.
In her remarks, the Chairman of the Ward Congress Committee in the state, Chief Margaret Araruenu, expressed confidence that the exercise would proceed peacefully, noting that adequate arrangements had been put in place.
Another eyewitness alleged that other party leaders, including a member of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Otito Atikase, and former Commissioner for Sports, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, were also assaulted during the incident. Those injured were reportedly taken to hospital for treatment.
