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Chaos broke out in Akure on Tuesday after armed thugs reportedly stormed a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), forcing party members to flee in panic and abruptly halting the gathering.
The incident occurred at the APC secretariat in Ondo State, where party leaders, officials and delegates had assembled for what was described as a routine stakeholders’ meeting. Eyewitnesses said the attackers, believed to be young men armed with sticks, machetes and other crude weapons, invaded the premises suddenly, shouting and threatening participants.
Attendees reportedly scattered in different directions to escape the violence, while the meeting venue was abandoned within minutes. Several party officials and supporters were said to have taken cover in nearby buildings, while others fled the area entirely.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation of arrests or the identities of those behind the attack. Security agencies have yet to release a detailed statement and no verified list of suspects or injured persons has been made public.
What is clear, however, is that the disruption reflects growing tensions within the APC in Ondo State. The party has experienced internal disagreements over leadership structure, candidate selection and factional loyalties in recent political cycles. Analysts say such divisions often create fertile ground for intimidation tactics and violent disruptions at political gatherings.
Political scientist Professor Adebayo Olukoshi has long warned about the dangers of such developments, noting that “political thuggery erodes the foundations of democratic engagement and weakens public confidence in the electoral process.” His observation is particularly relevant in states where party disputes have historically spilled into physical confrontations.
Though Tuesday’s incident has not yet been officially linked to any specific faction, insiders say the meeting was expected to address sensitive political issues, including internal alignments ahead of future party activities. The sudden invasion therefore raised suspicions that the disruption may have been politically motivated, though authorities have not confirmed this.
Residents near the secretariat described scenes of confusion as party members rushed out of the premises. Some vehicles reportedly sped off as attendees attempted to leave the area before the situation escalated further. No fatalities have been confirmed, but the psychological impact of the attack was evident among those present.
The attack also raises questions about security arrangements at political events. Observers note that political gatherings in Nigeria have increasingly required tight security due to the risk of violence, especially where factions are at odds.
For the APC in Ondo State, the immediate task will be to calm tensions, investigate the incident and reassure members that party activities can proceed safely. Party leaders are expected to hold internal consultations to address the disruption and determine the next steps.
However, the broader challenge remains: unless political actors renounce violence and security agencies act decisively against perpetrators, such incidents may continue to undermine internal party democracy and public confidence in the political process.
As of now, the motive, sponsors and identities of the attackers remain unknown. Authorities are expected to provide further updates once investigations progress. Until then, the violent interruption of a major party meeting in Akure stands as another troubling reminder of the fragility of political order when disputes are settled by force rather than dialogue.
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