One person, identified as Taye has been reportedly killed and many injured during a fight that ensued between the supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the Zenith Labour Party in Idanre town, Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The Chairman of the ZLP in Idanre LGA, Mr Ademehintoye Claudus, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Thursday.
He alleged that the thugs who perpetrated the act were sponsored by the chieftains of the APC in the local government.
He said, “Taye was killed yesterday (Wednesday) because he was canvassing support for the ZLP being a member of our party. And what happened has also confirmed that the APC is calling for war in this election because they have been attacking us unchallenged.
“Although, we have appealed to our members and supporters to remain calm even in the face of this provocation and asked them not to take laws into their own hands.”
The state Publicity Secretary of the APC, in a reaction, also confirmed the incident, calling on the security agencies to investigate the matter and forestall future occurrence.
“It is very unfortunate but we are a law-abiding party and we are not engaging in thuggery or violence to win the election. It was the ZLP people that are tearing the posters of Akeredolu in the area, that is where the fight started. But we hope that the security agencies will do their work to nip it in the bud,” he said.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer for the state Police Command, Mr Teo-Leo Ikoro, confirmed the incident, saying it was a political clash and an investigation had commenced into the matter.
He, however, said no arrest had been made on the incident.
Ikoro said, “A detachment of policemen has been sent to the town to maintain law and order.
An investigation into the incident has commenced with the intention to arrest culprits involved in the incident.”
The Punch