APC regional meeting ends abruptly in Ondo

*Aregbesola’s Commissioner beaten to pulp

A public hearing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee on true federalism was on Thursday abruptly disrupted in Akure, Ondo State capital as some sponsored thugs attacked the Osun State Commissioner for Regional Integration, Hon Bola Ilori.

Hon. Ilori was in Akure to represents the Osun state Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, when he was attacked by the hoodlums.

The public hearing was jointly organised for the Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states by the APC on true federalism held at the International event centre ‘DOME’ in Akure.

The committee was set up by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC to collate the views of the people on agitations for restructuring.

Ilori’s attackers were suspected to be allegedly working under the instructions of the Ondo State Secretary to the Government, Mr. Abegunde Abena.

The Osun state representative who escaped being lynched by the sponsored political thugs had spoken at the public hearing shortly after the leader of the delegation from Osun State; Chief Gbadegesin Adedeji presented the memorandum of the state before the committee led by Mrs. Rachael Akpabio.

Ilori, though an indigene of Ondo State had served as the Special Adviser to Governor Aregbesola of Osun State on Environment and Sanitation, and currently serving as the commissioner for Regional Integration in the state.

Ilori, a close ally to Bola Ahmed Tinubu was alleged to have worked against Governor Rotimi Akeredolu during the gubernatorial election.
Mr. Ilori had defected to the Alliance for Democracy (AD) from All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the November governorship election in Ondo state to support Chief Olusola Oke as director of his campaign organization.

Our correspondent observed that the delegates from Ondo state repeatedly booed Mr. Ilori who climbed the rostrum to make his presentation.

Shortly after his presentation, Ilori who was approached by journalists for an interview was attacked by some political thugs at the entrance of the event hall.

The Osun state Governor representative was beaten point black while his cloths, a short sleeve, was tore by the political thugs suspected to be sponsored.

The Daily Times correspondent reported that some armed security personnel at the venue could not safe the situation as they kept watching while it lasted.

The attack on Ilori however brought an abrupt end to the programme, which was attended by top members of the APC from Ekiti, Osun and Ondo States.

Those who attended the programme included the National Vice chairman of the party, in the South West, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon Agboola Ajayi, Ondo State chairman of the party, Mr Ade Adetimehin and his Ekiti State counterpart, Chief Jide Awe among others.

Speaking to journalists, Mr. Ilori accused some leaders and stalwarts of APC in Ondo state of being behind the attack.

“The aim of those who attacked me was to kill him but God’s mercy prevailed over me because they tore my clothes and made attempts to stab me.

“But, for the presence of my supporters. God loves me and He was the one who rescued me” he said.