Ballot box snatching, attacks on supporters again
marred yesterday’s ward congress of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State.
The congress had been held on November 1 but the
result was cancelled last Thursday after some major
stakeholders alleged rigging.
Another congress held across the 351 wards in the state
yesterday left a bad taste for many members,
supporters and observers as some participants were
assaulted.
Suspected political thugs invaded the party secretariat
at Danadaru, Mokola, Ibadan, destroying several cars.
It was gathered that trouble started after the national
officials supervising the congress and members of the
State Executive had distributed election materials to the
chairmen and secretaries from the 33 local
governments.
As soon as the distribution of materials was concluded,
some hoodlums suspected to be loyal to the former
National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)
Chairman, Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a Tokyo), stormed the
secretariat and began to snatch the materials from
them.
“Some of them had their dresses torn and their trousers
removed by the thugs,” a source said.
It was learnt that Tokyo spent about half an hour at the
venue, dishing out instructions to the thugs.
Former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and the State
Chairman were said to have confronted him.
But Tokyo denied the claims, saying he came to the
secretariat as a member and Director of Organisation.
He added that he came to ensure that nobody fomented
trouble.
He said: “I was at the secretariat to monitor how the
exercise was being carried out. And as one of the party
leaders, I think I am not doing anything wrong to be
there.
“Truly, Alao-Akala confronted me and asked why I
was at the secretariat. I told him I am a bona fide
member of the party and have the right to be at the
secretariat.
“When I was leaving the place my car was damaged
after it was stoned by some thugs loyal to the former
governor. As I speak with you, I have reported the
matter to the police commissioner and my lawyer is
working on the matter as well.”
A governorship aspirant, who hails from Oluyole Local
Government, Kehinde Olaosebikan, said: “Collation
forms for Oluyole were snatched at gun point from PDP
Chairman, Balogun Ayuba, in front of Challenge- Orita
Police Station at 4pm. The four-man gang was led by
one “Omo Alhaja,” working for Teslim Folarin.
Other local governments affected were Ibadan North
West, Ibadan South West, Oyo East, Oyo West, Atiba,
Orelope, Irepodun and Ibarapa Central.
Police spokesperson Mrs Olabisi Clet-Ilobanafor said
four hoodlums were arrested at the party secretariat.
She said reports from across the state stated that the
congress was peaceful.