A free for all between supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo state, on Thursday, left scores injured.
The clash which occurred at Isalu area of the town started around 8.30 am as the members of the two political parties were getting set to celebrate the festival.
A source who spoke to Daily Times said there was tension among residents of the town as the youths engaged each other in a faceoff.
The source explained that the Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Idanre, Mr. Bola Ogundolu, was injured during the clash.
The source who pleaded anonymity said Ogundolu was immediately rushed to a private hospital following the injuries he sustained from the fracas.
According to the source, the supporters of the two political parties were all granted permissions by the police to hold their event same day but at different venue in the town.
“Unfortunately, some APC thugs went to the house of the PDP chairman where people were preparing the food for their own ceremony and attacked everybody in the house.
“In fact, the hoodlums took away all the foods that had been prepared and also beat up those found in the house.
“The Chairman went to report the case at the police station and the thugs also traced him there before he was attacked.
Earlier, a source had accused some of the commercial motorcyclists who are also apologists of both parties of being cause of the crisis.
Daily Times learnt that the members of the PDP had also written to the police in the town before they were granted the permission to hold the New Year ceremony.
Reacting, Ade Adetimehin, the Acting Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) denied any clash in the town that involves the members of the party.
“I am not aware of the incident and if my members are fighting anywhere, I will have been informed by now.
“Right now, I am in Idanre and nothing of such has been reported to me” he said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident but said normalcy has since returned to the town.
Mr. Joseph said that the command was not aware of the local chairman of PDP in the Idanre town was beaten or injured.
“The APC sought our approval to hold their get together and we provided them security.
“Also, from nowhere we learnt that the PDP too were holding their own event and the police was not aware.
“So, that was how the clash stared but normalcy has returned as the caretaker chairman in Idanre as also offered to compensate for the lost,” he added.
‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure
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