May 20, (THEWILL) — A fresh crisis has erupted within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after suspected political thugs attacked the State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, during a reconciliation meeting over the party’s House of Representatives primaries in Alimosho Local Government Area.
Ajigbotafe, popularly known as “AB Ajigbotafe,” reportedly sustained deep machete wounds in the attack, while some of his security aides were also seriously injured during the violent clash.
THEWILL gathered that the incident occurred during a tense APC stakeholders’ meeting convened to resolve disagreements arising from the outcome of the party’s House of Representatives primary election in Lagos West.
Sources disclosed that trouble started after supporters of the former Chairman of Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Olabisi Adebajo, widely known as “ABISCO,” clashed with loyalists of the incumbent lawmaker, Ganiyu Ayuba.
According to a report by Vanguard, the disagreement escalated into violence after armed thugs allegedly stormed the venue wielding guns, machetes, and other dangerous weapons, causing panic among party members and residents in the area.
Eyewitnesses said sporadic gunshots were fired during, forcing participants at the meeting to scamper for safety.
Ajigbotafe, who was said to be aligned with a rival political camp within the APC structure in Alimosho, became one of the major targets during the attack.
An eyewitness described the incident as a failed assassination attempt on the commissioner.
“The assassination attempt on the Honourable Commissioner was unsuccessful; however, he sustained serious injuries. His vehicle was damaged and security personnel attached to him were severely wounded,” the source disclosed.
The incident has heightened tension within the Lagos APC, particularly in Alimosho, regarded as one of the ruling party’s strongest political strongholds in the state.
Reacting to the development, a concerned APC member and Certified Protection Officer, Debo Awosheye, condemned the violence and warned that such actions could damage the unity and public image of the party.
In a statement addressed to APC leaders in Alimosho, Awosheye described the attack as “dangerous and disgraceful.”
“These incidents are unacceptable and capable of damaging the unity, reputation, and democratic values of our party. No political ambition or disagreement should ever justify violence, intimidation, harassment, or threats against party members,” he stated.
He further warned that failure by party leaders to urgently address the growing crisis could negatively affect the APC’s electoral fortunes ahead of future elections.
Another party member, who spoke anonymously, described the attack as “barbaric” and called on the leadership of the party and security agencies to immediately investigate the incident and bring perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, in an apparent move to calm rising tension in the area, THEWILL gathered that some prominent traditional rulers in Alimosho on Tuesday visited the Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, at the party secretariat to appeal for peace among aggrieved political camps.
The monarchs urged party stakeholders to embrace dialogue and avoid acts capable of destabilising the political atmosphere in the council area.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued any official statement on the incident, while efforts by party leaders to contain the escalating crisis were said to be ongoing.
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