BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The ruling All Progressives Congress in Osun State, on Saturday, produced two different sets of state executive officers after holding parallel congresses in Osogbo, the state capital, under heavy security presence.
Delegates of the party loyal to Governor Gboyega Oyetola returned Prince Gboyega Famodun as the chairman of the party during their congress held at the Osogbo Township Stadium.
Delegates from the 30 local government areas of the state, including the Modakeke Area Office, were accredited and registered by members of the congress committee before having a voice vote that led to the emergence of Famodun and other officers.
Other party officers that were elected on the occasion included Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal (Deputy Chairman), Alao Kamar Olabisi (Secretary), Femi Kujenbola (Treasurer), Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde (Woman Leader), Akinwemimo Adegoke (State Youths Leader) and 28 others.
Meanwhile, pandemonium erupted at Ladsol area, Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, venue of the parallel state congress of the party as some gunmen stormed the area and shot indiscriminately.
A splinter group within the party, The Osun Progressives, said to be loyal to Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior and former governor of the state, were reportedly at the Ogo Oluwa venue for their congress on Saturday.
At about 12:40pm, eyewitnesses said that some hoodlums, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, stood at a distance from the venue of the congress, and started shooting.
Two persons were said to have sustained leg and arm injuries in the confusion that ensued.
Another group, believed to be in support of the congress at Ogo Oluwa, reportedly launched a counter-attack by opening fire on the attackers numbering about six.
Vehicular and human movements were said to have been disrupted in the area for some time following the faceoff between the two groups.
One of the delegates, who spoke with our correspondent under the condition of anonymity, said, “Some thugs attempted to disrupt our state congress. They came in a car and started shooting. They were eventually repelled and sent away.”
Before the confusion erupted, the delegates elected Alhaji Rasaq Sàlinsile as the party’s factional Chairman through voice vote while former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Adelani Baderinwa, was elected as state Secretary.
Other elected state officers of the factional APC group are Alhaji Azeez Adesiji (Vice Chairman),
Dr. Akinlabi Komolafe (Assistant Secretary), Akintoyese Ademola (Treasurer), Wasiu Ganiu Ayinla (Assistant Treasurer) and 27 others.
Famodun, in his acceptance address, extended olive branches to all aggrieved members of the party and urged for synergy and forgiveness to make possible Governor Oyetola’s re-election.
Salinsile, who noted that the party had been perverted by some opportunists at the state level, stressed the need to rebuild the party.
