Reporting by Daily Post indicates that the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress in Ondo State was marred by violence, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The incident took place in Idanre Local Government Area, where rival factions reportedly clashed over the conduct of the internal party exercise. The Ondo State Police Command confirmed that three others sustained severe injuries and are receiving treatment, while security forces have been deployed to the area to prevent a further breakdown of law and order.
In an update published by The Punch, the state police spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, stated that hoodlums allegedly attacked party members during the voting process. Despite the casualties, some party leaders in other parts of the state have described the congresses as “generally peaceful,” though the violence in Idanre has cast a shadow over the exercise.
The APC leadership has called for calm, urging members to use internal dispute resolution mechanisms rather than resorting to violence.
Validation from The Nation reveals that similar tensions were observed in other senatorial districts, with many members alleging the manipulation of delegate lists.
The Guardian reported that “the police are currently trailing the suspects responsible for the Idanre attack,” and arrests are expected in the coming days.
The incident highlights the volatile nature of grassroots politics as parties begin to position themselves for upcoming electoral cycles.
Echotitbits take:
Political violence at the ward level is often a precursor to broader instability during general elections. The failure to conduct peaceful congresses suggests deep-seated intra-party divisions that could weaken the APC’s cohesion in Ondo. Watch for whether the national leadership voids the Idanre results to appease the aggrieved factions.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/bloodbath-at-ondo-apc-congress-leaves-two-dead/, and February 19, 2026
Photo credit: The Guardian
