IBADAN – The simmering cold war within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) turned red-hot on Saturday as coordinated attacks by suspected political thugs left a trail of blood, shattered glass, and fleeing party members across Oyo State.
What was intended to be a local government congress for the faction loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike transformed into a battlefield, as armed men reportedly stormed venues to halt the exercise.
A Morning of Terror
The violence, which began in the early hours, targeted key strongholds across Ibadan North, Ogbomoso South, Akinyele, Ido, and Ibarapa Central. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as hoodlums, allegedly wielding machetes and clubs, descended on voting centers, sending delegates and party faithful scrambling for safety.
At least 10 to 25 people are reported to have sustained varying degrees of injury. “It was like a war zone,” said one witness in Ogbomoso. “They didn’t come to talk; they came to destroy.”
High-Profile Targets
The residence of former Deputy Governor Hazeem Gbolarumi in the upscale Bodija area of Ibadan became a focal point of the carnage. Sources reveal that a mob invaded the property, smashing the windshields of three vehicles and causing damage estimated in the millions. While Gbolarumi and his close aides reportedly escaped unhurt, the audacity of the attack on a high-ranking party figure has sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape.
A Party Divided
The violence is the latest escalation in the bitter supremacy battle between Governor Seyi Makinde and the Wike-backed faction led locally by Abdulrahman Akinoso.
Speaking on the day’s events, Professor Akinoso condemned the “unprovoked” attacks, labeling them a desperate attempt to suppress the will of party members. The factional chairman maintained that despite the intimidation, the group would not be deterred in its quest to reclaim the party’s soul.
Security on High Alert
As of Saturday evening, a heavy security presence remains in several volatile areas. While the Oyo State Police Command has yet to release an official tally of arrests, the atmosphere remains tense.
With the 2027 elections looming on the horizon, many fear that this weekend’s violence is merely a prologue to a more violent struggle for control of the Pacesetter State.
