Member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo West local government, would not forget December 25, 2019 in a hurry.
It was a day their leader, Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, marked his 52nd birthday and a day when some executive members of the party were beaten black and blue over sharing of Christmas gift sent to them from Ibadan, the state capital.
OYOINSIGHT.COM learnt that the governor, in the spirit of the festive season, had distributed rice and other foodstuffs to all the local government areas in the state.
Trouble was said to have started when Prince Akeem Salam, the caretaker chairman of the council, who was inaugurated three days earlier, allegedly ordered that all the foodstuffs be taken to one Pa Folarin house at Idi Gedu area of Isokun. The action, sources told OYOINSIGHT.COM infuriated some party executives and members who wanted it shared against the option of cooking and eating at a leader’s house.
On Christmas day, the food was prepared at Pa Folarin house. Party members were expected to come and eat. They party executives and members were said to have mobilized to the venue and throw the food away.
Thugs led by the duo of Adewara and Alapo were said to have been unleashed on party members. While some suffered varying degrees of injuries, two people were said to have fainted.
One of the PDP leaders in the town who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed the incident. “Yes. They asked the two groups to report again tomorrow morning (yesterday).”
The source added that “The fracas started, when the women Leaders from all the wards demanded to have their share of fried meat and rice. The group loyal to Pa Folarin, whose house was used as meeting point for celebration, resisted the attempt that, the meat and rice would be served at the event and not to be shared and taken away to wards.
“In the course of the intense argument and disagreement that ensued between the two groups, some youths armed with weapons descended on some innocent members. At the end, meat and rice meant for the celebration were thrown away.
“The suspects were later arrested and the matter is still at Ojongbodu police station, while the injured members are receiving treatment,” the source added.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with OYOINSIGHT.COM, Olukitibi as the council boss is popularly known denied that he ordered that the foodstuffs be moved to Pa Folarin’s house.
Though he said he has swung into action to ensure peace reigns, he said that “I was dressed up going for the event when I received calls that they are fighting over sharing of the rice and meat.”
He said that everybody had agreed that the house of Pa Folarin, who is the head of the elders be used for the purpose and that the women leader in the council and across the wards have been detailed to prepare the food until some people came to disrupt the process.
“It was in a bid to resist those who want to throw away the food that the fracas ensued. It was unfortunate. Our leaders have waded and those who are involved have promised to apologize,” he added.
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