A crucial stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State turned chaotic on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, when armed men invaded the party’s secretariat in Akure, the state capital in southwestern Nigeria.
The meeting was held ahead of the party’s ward congresses scheduled across 203 wards in Ondo State. These congresses are internal elections that determine local party officials and influence the party’s structure at higher levels.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the venue with cutlasses and other weapons, disrupting proceedings and assaulting several leaders. Among those reportedly beaten were the state chairman, Mr Ade Adetimehin, a board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr Otito Atikase, and a former Commissioner for Sports in Ondo State, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye. The injured were taken to hospital for medical attention.
One witness, Yetunde Adeyanju, alleged that the attackers claimed loyalty to supporters of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State. She said they shouted, “We don’t want congress in Ondo State. The governor is in charge. The governor is the leader of the state, and the governor is in charge.
“Nobody can query the authority of the governor, and anybody who wants to talk about congress in Ondo State will be assassinated. If you talk about congress in Ondo State, you will be assassinated.”
Mr Adetimehin confirmed he was assaulted during the invasion.
“Thirty minutes later, the place was invaded by thugs, with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons. They beat all leaders and members, except those who are for them.
“They beat me and dragged me on the floor; they took away my two phones, money, and wristwatch,” he said.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, dismissed suggestions that the governor was involved, describing the claims as “unfounded, false and misleading.”
“The governor was neither aware of nor connected to the said meeting and could not have sanctioned any act of thuggery. His leadership reflects a strong aversion to violence and political intimidation in any form,” he stated.
The Ondo State command of the Nigeria Police Force confirmed it responded after receiving a distress call and restored calm. Spokesperson Mr Abayomi Jimoh said tactical units were deployed and investigations were ongoing.
The incident has intensified internal tensions within the ruling party in Ondo State and cast uncertainty over the conduct of the ward congresses.