Reported cases of violence and protests marred Saturday’s conduct of congresses in 34 out of the 36 states of the federation by the governing All Progressives Congress.

While Ogun and Osun states recorded clashes between suspected thugs and loyalists of factional leaders, there were speculations that the exercise was suspended in Oyo State following reports that congress materials were forged by unknown persons.

Parallel congresses reigned supreme in states such as Osun, Ogun, Kwara and Enugu. In Ogun, hoodlums attacked the venue of the factional congress being held by loyalists of former governor Ibikunle Amosun in Abeokuta.

Pandemonium broke out when armed thugs invaded the Ake Palace ground, venue of the exercise, shooting indiscriminately into the air forcing party members to run for dear life.

One of our correspondents who was at the venue shortly before the violence started, gathered that the venue had earlier been sealed by the police, but was later reopened.

Amosun’s loyalists had barely settled for the business of the day when the thugs invaded and launched an attack.

Members of the state chapter of the transport union were accused of perpetrating violence. The policemen drafted to the venue to ensure peace were overwhelmed.

Some of the party loyalists resisted the thugs and also charged towards the policemen whom they accused of failing to perform their duty.

Police reinforcements later arrived and started shooting into the air to disperse the crowd who had then become unruly.

However, the MKO Abiola Stadium, where loyalists of the state Governor Dapo Abiodun held their congress was generally peaceful.

The two factions later held their congresses and announced parallel executives as members of the State Executive Committee after declaring that the leaders emerged via a consensus arrangement.

Abiodun’s loyalists announced Chief Yemi Sanusi as the new APC state chairman while Amosun’s loyalists picked Chief Derin Adebiyi. (Excerpted rom a Sunday PUNCH report)

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