The conduct of the ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osogbo, Osun State led to a protest on Friday, which did not end well, as aggrieved members of the party, who stormed the secretariat clashed with some policemen.
Some of the demonstrators had prior to the clash with the police, engaged in confrontation with some members at the party office, where weapons such as axes and machetes were freely used.
One person who was allegedly attacked with a charm went unconscious when the violent clash occurred, reports Nigerian Tribune, citing an eyewitness.
Following the violent display of the demonstrators, which allegedly led to the death of two persons, riot policemen fired teargas canisters at the demonstrators to diffuse tension in the area. Scores of people were reported to have sustained injuries, as they scampered for safety.
The violence had started earlier in the week, during the ward congresses of the APC, as factional groups clashed over attempts to control the party structure.
In his reaction to the violent display of his party members, Osun APC’s director of publicity, research and strategy, Mr Kunle Oyatomi said “we had a minor disagreement among our party members in Boripe Local Government over the congress in that council.
“Those who were not comfortable with the list of the executive being submitted came to the party’s secretariat in Osogbo to protest.
“Hoodlums who had no business with these members sneaked in with them. But, the quick intervention of the security officers in the party secretariat put them at check. No one was killed as being rumoured by the opposition,” he said.
