By Olasunkanmi Akoni
At least two members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, were reportedly shot dead yesterday, during a congress across local councils in the state, held to elect party leaders.

Reports from most of the areas showed the exercise witnessed violence over what members called, “electoral irregularities and favouritism” on the part of some candidates.

Agege, was said to have recorded the highest turbulent result as one of the deceased, identified as Nurudeen Olanose, was allegedly shot at Central School, Dopemu, during a fracas that ensued after voting had ended.

Two others were said to be in critical condition while nine suspects were arrested and taken to Area G Police Division in Agege.

In Agege LG, Mr. Jubreel Abdulkareem, a chieftain in the area, faulted the exercise in the council, saying, “no congress was held.”

Some party members who opposed the names announced protested violently, resulting in a clash.

All appeal for party members to maintain peace by the chairman of the council, Mr. Oloruntoba Oke, fell on deaf ears, as supporters of the opposing candidates engaged in a shouting match.

The situation almost degenerated into violence, but for the intervention of security personnel around who prevented further clash from erupting.

Abdulkareem, the former Executive Chairman of the council, told newsmen that some delegates were denied access to the venue.

Abdulkareem claimed that following the crisis that greeted the Ward congress on May 5, an apex leader of the party, Prof. Tunde Samuel, called a peace meeting before the congress where the posts were shared between the two camps.

He said that only delegates from one camp were called to vote, hence there were agitations from the other camp.

He claimed that one person was shot in the imbroglio that followed.

An eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, said that the reading of delegates’ list, which favoured one faction, triggered the crisis.

He said there was shooting from inside the venue and a bullet hit a man at the gate of Central Primary School, Oniwaya, Agege, where it held.

Violence, miscreants attack journalist in Ifako Ijaiye

The congress in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State also ended on a sad note when disagreement ensued among loyalists of some candidates.

The congress, which started around 1pm, had been peaceful until commotion erupted over the choice of candidates.

Trouble started when the electoral officers announced some names as elected executive members after a voice vote by the delegates.

Some party members were said to be opposed to the names announced and protested violently .

All appeal to party members to maintain the peace by the chairman of the council, Mr. Oloruntoba Oke, fell on deaf ears as supporters of the opposing candidates engaged in a shouting match.

The situation almost degenerated into free for all, but for the prompt intervention of security personnel around who prevented members from fighting one another.

The electoral officer, thereafter, was whisked away by security officials after attempts to attack him.

Oke said the congress had been orderly all along, “The congress was almost concluded when some members violently protested against some of the declared candidates

Oke, however, expressed the optimism that the issue would be resolved amicably by the leadership of the party in the state.

“Disagreements are normal in politics. We will be trusting the leadership of the party to resolve the issue. I have no doubt that everything will be resolved,” he said.

Also, a freelance journalist with Daly Times Newspaper was attacked by the hoodlums while protesting.

Ayobo Ipaja

However, it was a different ball game at Ayobo/Ipaja Local Council Development Area as the congress ended peacefully, as early as 10.30, am

The congress, which started at 8 am at St. Andrews Primary School, ended with delegates electing party executive members by consensus.

Bisi Yusuf, a member of the state House of Assembly (Alimosho) who was present at the congress, commended members for peaceful conduct.

He said he was proud that the exercise ended without rancour or violence.

Yusuf said politics should be about understanding and not violence or desperation.

“I am happy at the conduct. I thank all party members for the success.

“Ipaja /Ayobo has done it again. Everyone is happy with the results.

“You see, politics should not be about desperation or rancour. It should about understanding.

“We have demonstrated that today and everybody is satisfied, ” he said.

He commended the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for laying the foundation for peaceful conduct of the congress.

He said Tinubu’s constant appeals to members to always be peaceful had yielded the desired results in Ayobo/Ipaja.

Yusuf therefore, urged members to continue to maintain peace in the area in order to ensure success of future elections.