The political atmosphere in Ondo State has turned tense and heavy following deadly violence that broke out during the ward congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC). What should have been a routine internal party exercise quickly spiraled into chaos, leaving several people dead and many others injured, and forcing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to summon Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to Abuja for urgent explanations.
The ward congresses, held across various parts of the state, were meant to elect party officials at the grassroots level but a critical process that determines who controls local party structures ahead of future elections. However, in areas including Idanre and Akure North Local Government Area, rival factions reportedly clashed over allegations of manipulation, exclusion, and power struggles within the party.
Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of confusion and fear as violence erupted. Reports indicate that weapons were used during the clashes, with gunshots and machete attacks turning what was supposed to be a political exercise into a deadly confrontation. At least four lives were lost, while several others sustained injuries. Residents in affected communities fled for safety as tension spread.
The seriousness of the incident appears to have prompted swift intervention from the Presidency. President Tinubu reportedly summoned Governor Aiyedatiwa to the Presidential Villa in Abuja to provide a detailed briefing on the breakdown of security and the measures being taken to restore calm. The move signals federal concern not only about the loss of lives but also about the broader implications of political violence within party structures.
For Governor Aiyedatiwa, the development comes at a politically sensitive time. Internal tensions within the Ondo APC have been simmering for months, with different factions vying for influence and control. Analysts say ward congresses often expose these rivalries because they shape the power base that determines candidate selection and party dominance at higher levels.
Security agencies have since launched investigations into the killings, with assurances that those responsible will be apprehended. The state government has also called for calm, urging party members and residents to avoid further escalation.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, the violence in Ondo highlights a recurring issue in Nigeria’s political culture the tendency for internal disputes to escalate into deadly confrontations. As the state waits for accountability and justice, many are left questioning how grassroots political processes continue to carry such high stakes that they end in bloodshed.
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