October 16, (THEWILL) – There were heavy gunshots on Saturday as loyalists of a former Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, gathered at the Ake Palace Pavilion, in Abeokuta, for the state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Armed political thugs invaded the venue of the congress, shooting repeatedly to scare away Amosun’s loyalists.
The shooting took place immediately Senator Tolu Odebiyi and Hon. Adekunle Akinlade arrived the Ake palace ground.
Although the cause of the violence has yet to be ascertained, party faithful in their hundreds scampered for safety.
The situation was later brought under control by security operatives at the venue and the process continued.
Earlier, policemen had locked up the Ake palace to prevent the former governor’s supporters from holding a congress, but they later left the venue.
Reports indicate that the APC state congress conducted by the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led group has been peaceful.
The exercise is taking place at the MKO Abiola Stadium in the state capital amid tight security, as security authorities deployed operatives to strategic locations to maintain law and order.
Delegates from the 20 local government areas of the three senatorial districts of the state are participating in the congress while about 100 aspirants are expected to vie for the 35 contestable positions to fill the offices of the state chairman, secretary, and publicity secretary, among others.
The option of a consensus had been adopted in line with the party guidelines, but an election is inevitable where there is no agreement.
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