The ongoing ward congress of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State descended into violence on Wednesday, leaving three people dead.
One of those killed was a prominent APC chieftain in the local government area.
According to The Nation, the violence erupted when political thugs, allegedly loyal to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, stormed the congress venue and fired shots into the air.
A vehicle reportedly owned by a party stalwart was also set ablaze during the chaos.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to the publication said the attackers disrupted the exercise, causing several injuries and widespread destruction of property.
The exact cause of the violence had yet to be determined as of the time of filing this report.
In a related development, suspected thugs invaded the APC state secretariat in Ondo on Tuesday, injuring several people and assaulting the state chairman and a commissioner.
The incident occurred during a pre-congress stakeholders’ meeting.
An eyewitness, Yetunde Adeyanju, told journalists that the assailants, wielding dangerous weapons, claimed allegiance to Lucky Aiyedatiwa and declared, “We don’t want congress in Ondo State. The governor is in charge. The governor is the leader of the state, and the governor is in charge.
“Nobody can query the authority of the governor, and anybody who wants to talk about congress in Ondo State will be assassinated. If you talk about congress in Ondo State, you will be assassinated.”
