The delegates’ congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State to choose those that will participate in the March 7 primary election across the 332 wards, turned bloody yesterday, as two people were confirmed dead.
A Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) was also torched by armed political thugs in front of the PDP secretariat in Ipetumodu, while scores of members sustained injuries.
The Nation gathered that around 1:30pm when the exercise was going on at Ward 14, Oke-Oba, Agberire village in Iwo Local Government, armed thugs stormed the venue to disrupt the exercise.
An eyewitness said the thugs attacked members of the party with cutlasses and bottles.
“One of the members died, while another sustained machete injuries during the attack. Policemen have arrested some suspects,” the source said.
Violence equally erupted in front of the party secretariat at Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government when armed thugs arrived on the scene and shot Aremu Olamide in the leg. The hoodlums later torched a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to a member.
It was gathered that Olamide later died in hospital.
Loyalists of one of the governorship aspirants attempted to disrupt the exercise at Okuku, the headquarters of Odo-Otin Local Government, but they were prevented by members loyal to the former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Similarly, disruptions were recorded at Osogbo Ward 4, Olorunda, Ede and Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Government.
Osun State PDP Director of Media and Publicity, Oladele Oluwabamiji, said: “We started the process together. The Congress Committee led by Adamawa State Governor Umaru Fintiri met all the aspirants with party stakeholders and it was agreed that each aspirant should have observer/monitors in each of the wards across the state.
“We left the collation centre at WOCDIF for the wards. Those shouting that the congress was disrupted were only saying so after their expectation was not met.
“There were pockets of crisis here and there, but the process was largely peaceful.”
Police command spokesperson Yemisi Opalola confirmed that two people were killed, while some members were injured.