Violence erupted during the All Progressives Congress primaries in Lagos on Monday after suspected political thugs allegedly attacked the Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe with machete in a bloody clash in Alimosho Local Government Area.
The now ailing commissioner, popularly called “AB Ajigbotafe,” was reportedly left in critical condition after the attack and is currently receiving treatment in hospital following severe blood loss.
It was gathered that Ajigboyafe was attacked during a tense APC stakeholders’ meeting convened to resolve disagreements arising from the party’s House of Representatives primary election in Lagos West.
Party sources said the violence stemmed from lingering tensions generated during Saturday’s House of Representatives primaries involving supporters of former Mosan-Okunola LCDA chairman, Olabisi Adebajo, popularly known as ABISCO, and incumbent lawmaker, Ganiyu Ayuba.
The primaries had reportedly degenerated into chaos after armed thugs allegedly stormed the venue wielding guns and other dangerous weapons, triggering panic and sporadic gunshots.
Party insiders claimed Ajigbotafe was aligned with one of the rival political camps, a development believed to have intensified hostilities ahead of Monday’s reconciliation meeting.
What was expected to be a peace meeting, however, reportedly degenerated into violence after suspected loyalists of powerful political figures allegedly descended on the commissioner with machetes in what witnesses described as an assassination attempt.
“The assassination attempt on the Honourable Commissioner was unsuccessful; however, he sustained serious injuries, his vehicle was damaged and security personnel were severely wounded,” a party member said in a message circulated among APC stakeholders.
Sources disclosed that the commissioner lost a significant amount of blood and underwent multiple blood transfusions as doctors battled to stabilise him.
The development has thrown the Lagos APC into turmoil, especially in Alimosho, one of the party’s strongest political strongholds in the state.
The attack sparked outrage among party members and stakeholders, many of whom condemned the growing wave of violence, intimidation and hooliganism within the party’s local structures.
In a strongly worded statement addressed to APC leaders in Alimosho, a concerned party member and Certified Protection Officer, Debo Awosheye, described the attack as dangerous and disgraceful.
“These incidents are unacceptable and capable of damaging the unity, reputation and democratic values of our party,” he said.
“No political ambition or disagreement should ever justify violence, intimidation, harassment or threats against party members.”
Awosheye warned that if urgent steps were not taken, the crisis could spiral further and damage the APC’s reputation ahead of future elections.
Another APC member described the incident as “barbaric” and called for urgent intervention by party leaders.
“How can you publicly attack and injure a sitting commissioner to the point of severe bleeding? This is completely unacceptable,” he said.
The incident has renewed concerns over increasing political violence during party primaries in Lagos, with many APC members demanding a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the attack.
