Violence, crisis rock APC congresses

Violence and protests rocked Saturday’s ward congresses in several state chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Parallel congresses were also held in some of the states against the party leadership’s directive.

Sporadic shooting, one killed in Ekiti

In Ekiti state, one person was said to have been killed in the violence that erupted during the APC congress in the state. The deceased was allegedly stabbed by suspected thugs in Ado Ekiti ward 8.

Sporadic shootings were also reported in other parts of the state.

The violence was said to have erupted owing to varying opinions on the mode of picking party officials. While one group loyal to Kayode Fayemi, governor of the state, called for a consensus, the SWAGA group called for direct election.

Tony Adeniyi, the state SWAGA chairman, said widespread violence marred the process, adding that there was no congress in the state.

One injured in clash between loyalists in Ogun state

In Ogun state, supporters of Dapo Abiodun, governor of the state, and Ibikunle Amosun, his predecessor, produced two results in each of the 236 wards during Saturday’s congresses.

A party member was said to have been injured when loyalists from both side clashed at ward 11 in Abeokuta south LGA.

The Abiodun’s loyalists were also said to have chased away Mikky Kazeem, a former member of the house of representatives, from a ward in Abeokuta north LGA.

Parallel congresses in Oyo

A similar situation occurred in Oyo state, as party members loyal to Sunday Dare, minister of sports and youth development, and those loyal to Adebayo Alao-Akala, former state governor, held different ward congresses in Ogbomoso north LGA.

Ademola Olawale, vice-chairman of the Ogbomoso central local council development authority, said two parallel congresses were held to elect new party officials in Ogbomoso in the LGA.

Also in Abia state, there were parallel ward congresses as leadership crisis continues to rock the party in the state.

The congresses came barely two days after the party re-affirmed the suspension of Ikechi Emenike, its chieftain.

Many injured in sporadic shooting in Ebonyi

Shooting was reported during the ward congresses in some parts of Ebonyi state on Saturday.

It was said gunmen invaded Ugwuachara Central School, Ebonyi LGA, shooting sporadically. The gunmen were said to be working for a top politician in the state and allegedly carted away the electoral materials.

Many persons were said to have sustained injuries from the gunshots while others took to their heels to avoid being killed or injured.

Protest in Akwa Ibom over manipulation of candidates’ list

Some APC youths in the state set parts of the APC state secretariat ablaze to protest alleged interference of John Akpanudoedehe, the national secretary of the party’s caretaker committee in the ward congresses.

They accused him of imposing consensus arrangement on the state.

The protesters set a bonfire outside the party secretariat, causing chaos and traffic and displayed placards with various inscriptions.

The congresses did not take place in the 329 wards in the state owing to the absence of electoral materials.

Bayelsa factions boycott congress

In Bayelsa state, factions of the APC loyal to Timipre Sylva, minister of petroleum resources, and Heineken Lokpobiri, former minister of state for agriculture, complied with the court order stopping the APC ward congresses across the state.