Ballot box snatching, attacks on supporters again marred 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.
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