[size=18pt]Two killed in PDP factional clashes, 25 others injured[/size]


The violent clash between two factions of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has claimed two people with 25 others sustaining severe injuries.

The clash which occurred at Ward 09 Irojo in Ilesa-East Local Government Area of the state during a political gathering in the ancient town was caused when some people believed to be hired political thugs stormed the venue of the political meeting, armed with dangerous weapons and unleashed terror on members of the party at the meeting.

Consequently during the clash two persons were said to have been shot dead, while three others were on danger list at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC) Ile-Ife following gunshots they sustained during the fracas. Thisday gathered that one Seyi Aderibigbe was shot dead in the crisis, while one Segun Aluko was on danger list at the hospital.

The mayhem was as a result of alleged attempt to impeach the incumbent Ilesa-East Local Government Chairman of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Wale Oni which was resisted and resulting in violent clash between the two factions.

Thisday was further informed that arms wielding political thugs numbering about 40 allegedly stormed the venue of the meeting to stop the planned impeachment of Oni who is believed to be working for Senator Iyiola Omisore, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the party.

However it was equally revealed that Oni allegedly shot dead Aderibigbe who was believed to be having sympathy for Hon. Gbenga Onigbogi, a member of the House of Representatives, also eyeing the gubernatorial seat in the state come 2011, while another faction revealed that the invading group met their waterloo in attempt to resist the impeachment of Oni.

Oni was said to have been accused of working against the Ijesa Agenda which is Hon. Gbenga Onigbogi’s candidature for the governorship race in the state but which did not go down well with members of the party in the area.

Thisday also learnt that the leadership of the party had been in running battle with members over an allegation that they (leadership) had been bought over by Senator Iyiola Omisore. It was learnt that the invasion was led by one of the Special Advisers to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Sunday Bisi and one Yele Akintola.

However when contacted, Oni denied the allegation that he was the one that killed Aderibigbe saying the political thugs sponsored by Onigbogi’s camp to perfect his impeachment was over-powered by members of the party who attended the meeting.

Oni accused Onigbogi of planning to get rid of him because he did not support his candidature for the 2011 general election in the state. Oni who declared that he is in support of Omisore’s ambition said he is still in charge.

Also one Sunday Bisi had accused Oni of killing at will adding that “Oni was the one arrested on the day of Judgment by Election Petition tribunal in a case involving Aregbesola and Oyinlola of leading hired thugs to the court premises to unleash terror on the people.

But when contacted the state Director of Publicity of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Adeolu Adeyemo denied knowledge of the incident saying he was not aware of the crisis. The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Akinola Clement on his part said the matter has not been reported to the State police Command even as the State Commissioner of Police, Solomon Olusegun denied knowledge of the incident.


http://odili.net/news/source/2010/aug/5/209.html