Scores injured as APC factions clash in Offa
Two factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Offa Kwara State, on Sunday, engaged in a bloody clash.
The brawl was between supporters of the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Femi Agbaje, Kwara South senator, Lola Ashiru, both indigenes of Offa.
According to PREMIUM TIMES report, the clash was between two groups in the party; one loyal to the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Femi Agbaje, and the other to the senator representing Kwara South, Lola Ashiru.
It was learnt that Mr. Agbaje, who started a weekly ward tour in the town last week, repeated the same on Sunday before it turned bloody.
The two camps engaged in a fight that led to gunshots, before many scampered for safety.
It was confirmed that two people sustained severe gunshot injuries and were rushed to different hospitals; while one was admitted at General Hospital in Offa, another was taken to Gentleman Abdulsalam Memorial Clinic but later referred to General Hospital in Ilorin, the state capital, owing to the severity of the injuries. Others injured are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals in Offa.
The commissioner had earlier dared his political rival in the town during a radio programme. Although he did not mention any name but his description of an elected official who had spent two years in office, means he was referring to Lola Ashiru.
While speaking on air, he subtly throwed a jab at the senator, “Some fools sat down and said Femi White should not go out for campaigns or ward tours.
“They still have the chance to perform. We voted for you. I cannot campaign with you and after you are elected, you don’t fulfill the promises we made to the people and you expect me to praise you. I can’t.”
He said the weekly ward tour initiative is not his but of indigenes of the town appointed into various offices who want to ‘give back’ to their constituents.
However, in his reaction, Mr. Agbaje’s media aide, Azeez Idowu, said his principal had no hand in the violence that erupted.
“A weekly ward tour was hitherto organised by the Offa political appointees in Offa local government area, consisting Hon. Femi Whyte, Mallam Abdulmajeed Abdullahi and many others, who, with their followers go round the Wards in solidarity support for the governor.
“The ward tour, since its commencement last Sunday, had been calm, peaceful and without any hitch, until this Sunday (20th June), when the peaceful gathering was invaded by the political thugs and hoodlums, masterminded by one Kanjuko, in an attempt to disorganise the peaceful gathering.
“The thugs, believed to be working for some politicians, stormed the gathering with a white Honda Accord (Baby Boy), said to be owned by one Agbeti and started throwing broken bottles on the lovers of Hon. Femi Whyte,” the statement read.
All efforts to reach Mr. Ashiru proved abortive as his known telephone number was switched off.
Meanwhile, the PREMIUM TIMES’ report clearly stated that the spokesperson of Kwara State police command, Ajayi Okasanmi, when contacted on Monday, said he was not aware of the incident and would reach out to the appropriate quarters.
