- Violence broke out during local government congresses organised by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to Nyesom Wike in Oyo State, leaving about 25 people injured
- The unrest affected several areas including Ibadan, Ido Local Government Area, Ibarapa Central, Akinyele and Ogbomoso North, with vehicles and houses vandalised
- The Oyo State Police Command said it had begun investigations and ordered the arrest of hoodlums following attacks, including the vandalism of the residence of former deputy governor Hazim Gbolarumi
Violence broke out in several parts of Oyo State on Saturday during local government congresses organised by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The clashes reportedly left about 25 people injured, while several properties, including houses and vehicles, were vandalised across different local government areas.
The crisis is linked to the long-standing internal division within the PDP in Oyo State. One faction of the party is aligned with the state governor, Seyi Makinde, while the other is loyal to Wike.
The Wike-aligned faction held its local government congresses on Saturday, but the exercise was marred by violence in several areas.
Local government areas affected by the unrest include Ibadan North, Ido Local Government Area, Ibarapa Central, Akinyele and Ogbomoso North.
Residents in the affected areas reported attacks on individuals and damage to property, as suspected thugs allegedly moved through communities during the congress period.
Among the properties attacked was the residence of a former deputy governor of the state, Hazim Gbolarumi, located in the Bodija area of Ibadan North. Sources said the building was vandalised, with property worth millions of naira reportedly destroyed.
The chairman of the Wike-aligned faction of the PDP in Oyo State, Abdulrahman Akinoso, confirmed the attacks on Saturday, alleging that groups of thugs had been moving across several local government areas to carry out assaults.
“There may be a need to upgrade the damage figures. More than 25 vehicles have been reported damaged. They are moving round the local governments, attacking individuals at home. Buildings were damaged,” Akinoso said.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the incident and assured residents that security operatives are addressing the situation.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the police had received reports of the attacks and had begun investigations.
According to him, the violence did not occur directly at the congress venues but rather outside the locations where the political activities were held.
“It is an internal affair of a political party. It did not happen at the congress. It is outside the congress venues,” Ayanlade said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police had ordered the arrest of individuals involved in the attacks.
“We received a report of the attack on the residence of a former deputy governor of the state. The CP has ordered the arrest of the hoodlums. We are on top of the matter,” he said.
The incident highlights the deepening political tension within the PDP in Oyo State as rival factions continue to compete for influence ahead of future party activities and elections.