Celebration turns bloody, as rival parties’ supporters clash in Ondo

Some people were feared injured yesterday in Idanre, Ondo State, following a clash between members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The fight was said to have occurred at Isalu area of Idanre Local Government Area of the state when members of the two parties were preparing to celebrate the New Year. 

According to a source, the police had given the two political parties permission to celebrate the period at different locations in the town.

The source alleged that the trouble started when some hoodlums belonging to the APC went to the home of the PDP Chairman, Bola Ogundolu to disrupt the cooking of food.

“The chairman was attacked in front of the DPO of the police station, when he went to lodge complaint about the activities of the hoodlums. He was seriously injured by the thugs,” the source said. 

But, another source explained that it was a clash between the commercial motorcyclists in the town, who are supporters of both the APC and PDP, even though they are not card-carrying members of the two parties.

A PDP chieftain in the area, Mr. Mayokun Akinmoladun dismissed the account.

He explained: “The APC supporters attacked and maimed our people in our chairman’s house, they destroyed the canopy and chairs, and stole the food we had prepared. They also injured our chairman.”

Akinmoladun further explained that the police and other security agencies had approved their letter seeking permission to hold the event. 

However, the acting state Chairman of the APC, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, who hails from Idanre denied that his party members were involved in any clash. 

But, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident and added that the APC was granted approval to celebrate. He however denied knowledge of the PDP’s request, adding that normalcy had returned to the town, as the two parties agreed to make peace. Meanwhile, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has condemned the growing insecurity in the riverine communities.

He spoke yesterday in Akure at a meeting with Ilaje leaders over the killings and criminal activities in Ilaje Local Government Area.

Akeredolu described the menace as unacceptable, especially given the government’s efforts to restore peace.