Suspected political thugs on Saturday invaded the private residence of former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi, destroying vehicles and other valuables estimated to be worth millions of naira.
The incident occurred at Gbolarumi’s residence in the Asi area of Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State. Witnesses said the attackers carried out coordinated assaults, leaving several properties damaged.
Gbolarumi is a chieftain of a faction within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was scheduled to hold its state congress on Saturday.
Investigations indicated that at least 10 people sustained various degrees of injuries during separate incidents linked to the violence across the state.
However, the Oyo State Police Command dismissed claims that the attack was related to the PDP congress. The Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said unidentified hoodlums were responsible for the attack.
“A yet-to-be-identified group of hoodlums attacked the residence of the former deputy governor. The incident is not connected to the party’s state congress,” Ayanlade stated.
He added that the matter is under investigation and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the chairman of one faction of the PDP in the state, Abdulrahman Akinoso, revealed that similar attacks were reported in several areas including Ibadan North, Ogbomoso South, Akinyele, and Igboora in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area.
According to him, at least ten people were injured while several vehicles were vandalised during the incidents.
Akinoso also disclosed that three vehicles were damaged at Gbolarumi’s residence on Are Avenue in the Bodija area of Ibadan, where members of the faction had gathered for the congress.
The incidents have heightened tensions within the PDP in Oyo State as rival factions continue to battle for control of the party structure.
In a related development, PDP stakeholders in Ogbomoso rejected what they described as attempts by certain individuals to organise unauthorised congresses and inaugurate parallel executive members in the area and other parts of the state.
The group warned that any attempt to create factional leadership would not be recognised, insisting that the party in the state remains united under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde.
In a statement released on Saturday, the stakeholders said they had become aware of alleged secret plans by some individuals to conduct congresses aimed at installing factional executives.
“We are aware of clandestine moves by some elements to hold congresses and inaugurate factional executives in Ogbomoso and other parts of the state,” the statement said.
They warned that such actions could destabilise the party if not properly addressed and reaffirmed their loyalty to Governor Makinde’s leadership.
The stakeholders also urged party members to remain calm and resist attempts to divide the party, stressing their commitment to maintaining unity and stability within the PDP across Oyo State.
