There was political violence in Ondo State when thugs loyal to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) clashed in Oba Akoko on Wednesday.
Both supporters belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed when the campaign trains of both parties crossed paths at Oba Akoko as they moved toward opposite directions.
While the convoy of Governor Akeredolu was passing through to Ikare-Akoko, Eyitayo Jegede’s convoy was coming from a visit to the palace of the traditional ruler of Oba-Akoko.
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According to the Spokesperson of Governor Akeredolu’s campaign train, Olabode Richard Olatunde, said at least one vehicle was burned down in the Governor’s campaign convoy while the driver was in critical condition at the hospital. He blamed the PDP supporters for instigating the clash.
According to the political loyalist,
“While we are shocked and saddened by this attack, we are not too surprised, because the PDP has shown that it is not focusing on issues in its campaign for the election. They will rather deploy violence and falsehood to score cheap political points.”
Reports from the other side revealed that 10 campaign vehicles were vandalised in the convoy of Eyitayo Jegede
Meanwhile, 10 campaign vehicles in the convoy of Eyitayo Jegede who was in the palace of the traditional rulers at the time were said to have been vandalised in the attack.
The PDP through its publicity secretary, Kennedy Peredei said that hooded supporters of Akeredolu unleashed mayhem on them while the Governor himself as well as the police officers attached to the convoy did nothing to calm the situation.
He said, “Everybody was taken by surprise. Aketi people were passing before they stopped abruptly, and before you could say Jack, these masked men rushed down and started breaking Jegede’s vehicles.”
The spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Tee-Leo Ikoro confirmed the incident and said mobile policemen had been deployed to the area to quell the political violence.
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