By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed security agencies to track down and prosecute those responsible for the violence that disrupted the ward congress of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Ondo State.
The congress, held on Wednesday across the state’s 203 wards, turned violent in parts of Idanre Local Government Area, where suspected political thugs allegedly linked to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers disrupted the exercise.
The unrest reportedly spread to some communities on the outskirts of the state capital, particularly at Iju/Ita-Ogbolu in Akure North LGA, where clashes, fights, and hours of disruption were recorded
The police confirmed that two persons were dead, while three others sustained injuries during the attacks.
It was gathered that among the victims was Mr Raphael Adetimehin, younger brother of the state APC chairman, Engr Ade Adetimehin, who was reportedly brutalised during the clash and is currently in a coma at a hospital in Akure.
Condemning the violence on Thursday, Governor Aiyedatiwa distanced himself from the disturbances, insisting the pockets of violence had nothing to do with his administration.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor described himself as a leader committed to unity within the party and said he had ordered security agencies to immediately restore peace in the affected areas.
He added that the governor had directed security agencies to investigate the crisis in Idanre and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
“The pockets of issues in the ward congress of the party have nothing to do with the governor, and that was why he called on security agencies to restore order at the Party Secretariat on Tuesday.
“Mr. Governor has also called on security agencies to investigate the crisis that took place in Idanre earlier today and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The Governor urges all aspirants contesting for party positions to call their followers and supporters to order as the government will not tolerate any breakdown of law and order in any part of the state,” the statement read.
It, however, urged aspirants contesting party positions to rein in their supporters, warning that the government would not tolerate any breakdown of law and order anywhere in the state.
The latest development came amid the condemnation by the leaders and elders of the party over the crisis that rocked the ward congress in the state.
The party’s leaders under the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an immediate investigation into the violence that marred Tuesday’s stakeholders’ meeting of the party in the state.