Police Investigate Attack on Former Oyo Deputy Governor’s Home After PDP Congress

The Oyo State Police Command has launched an investigation into an attack on the private residence of a former Deputy Governor of the state, Hazeem Gbolarumi, which occurred amid tensions following the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state congress on Saturday.

According to police reports, vehicles and other property worth millions of naira were destroyed when suspected political thugs allegedly stormed Gbolarumi’s residence in the Asi area of Ibadan North Local Government Area.

Gbolarumi, a chieftain of one faction within the PDP, stated that the attack happened shortly after the conclusion of the party’s congress. He also reported that several PDP members sustained injuries in various incidents linked to political tensions across the state.

In an interview on Saturday night, the former deputy governor alleged that the state governor, Seyi Makinde, was connected to the assault. “That is what Seyi did. He is an opposition in the same PDP. We finished our congress and were going home when those boys came with guns and cutlasses to attack us,” he claimed.

When asked for evidence supporting the allegation against the governor, Gbolarumi said video footage had captured some of the assailants. “They videoed them. They are just deceiving themselves. They also attacked our people in Igbo-Ora and Ibarapa. The camera will reveal the truth of the matter. They came with about 15 buses and close to 200 thugs,” he alleged.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo PDP, Michael Ogunsina, denied any involvement by the party leadership, asserting that the incident was unrelated to the official party congress.

Ogunsina offered a different perspective on the cause of the violence, suggesting it may have stemmed from a disagreement between Gbolarumi and individuals he reportedly hired for what he described as a “purported fake congress.”

“We don’t know about it. It is unfortunate what has happened to him. Our state has actually moved away from political carnage, and it is unfortunate that this is happening,” Ogunsina said. “I understand that Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi was supposed to pay some of the guys he hired to have their purported fake congress. I think issues broke out in between. Maybe he didn’t pay them the amount they agreed on, and those people may have resorted to destroying things in his house.”

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, stated that an investigation is now underway.

“I am yet to be aware that they attacked and injured the former deputy governor, but I know the attack took place at his house. Investigation has commenced, and the necessary steps will be taken,” Ayanlade said.