The timely retaliation from youths and other members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) salvaged the situation as hoodlums attacked the APC State Congress held at Ake Palace, Abeokuta on Saturday.
Thousands of supporters of the immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who trooped in large numbers to the congress venue were running helter and skelter for safety when the hoodlums who came in several vehicles started shooting sporadic into the air to scare them from exercising their voting rights.
The hoodlums according to delegates were allegedly led by a leader of one of the transport unions in the state. It was gathered that the purpose of such action was meant to destabilise and counter the congress from holding at the venue.
Furthermore, it was gathered that no fewer than ten people including old women sustained injuries during the attack, and they had been treated at a nearby pharmaceutical shops.
Newsnigerianonline.com.ng recalls that the Governor Dapo Abiodun led faction also held his own faction of the congress at MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, hereby registering the state to be conducting two parallel elections on same day.
However, the shooting which lasted for about ten minutes saw people running for safety while the security personnel on ground watched helplessly until when youths and others chased them till Adatan but unable to arrest them.
It was after then that the policemen and Amotekun officers intervened to stem the situation, but this did not augur well with the delegates and members of the party who insulted them for inability to protect them during the attacked them despite witnessing the scenario.
Meanwhile, while speaking to journalists, the likes of Senator Tolu Odebiyi (Ogun West); Senator Lekan Mustafa (Ogun East); Hon. Kolawole Lawal Mobolotunduro (KLM); Mukaila Kazeem; Hon. Lekan Adegbite, Minister of Mines and Steel; and host of others described the attack as uncalled for.
They stated that such action berated the confidence and freedom of members to exercise their voting rights. Adding that it would not deter them from conducting the congress and to vote for their state executive members.
While responding on the parallel congresses holding simultaneously in Abeokuta, they confirmed that it was normal to have such, but should not be a do or die affairs as being handled by the other faction.
Moreover, the Amosun led faction State Congress Committee led by Gbenga Opaleye from Oyo State were on ground to conduct the election at the Ake Palace while the election has commenced as at time of reporting.
