Gunmen have attacked members of the All Progressives Congress party (APC) at Oranmiyan House, Osogbo, Osun State.
According to Daily Post, the hoodlums arrived at the venue of the meeting in a black Sienna minivan and began shooting sporadically.
The hoodlums were said to gained access into the compound because the personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps who maintained security at the premises were not on ground at the time of the attack.
It was learnt that the members who belong to The Osun Progressives (TOP) faction loyal to former Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and under the leadership of Adelowo Adebiyi, were attacked.
The Osun Progressive (TOP), a faction within the Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC), had in August alleged that some people within the party and the government were planning to attack leaders of the the faction.
The TOP Chairman, Rev. Adelowo Adebiyi, said the planned attack was as a result of the group’s struggle to restructure and re-energise the party.
Adebiyi, however, said that the alleged plan has been reported to the security agencies for investigation and for other necessary steps.
“This urgent press conference is aimed at putting on record, information on attempt by some elements, allegedly within government and our party (APC), to attack and murder some of the leaders of TOP.
“It is important that we bring to public knowledge this evil intention. We have informed relevant security agencies, who have assured us of taking steps to investigate the information and ensure protection of the lives of the leadership and members of our caucus.
“We plead with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector-General of Police, Director General of Department of State Service, Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chief Bisi Akande, to quickly intervene and stop desperate elements in Osun APC from spilling the blood of the innocent for their selfish interests,” Adebiyi had said.
Also speaking, the Caretaker Secretary of the APC in the state, Mr Rasaq Salinsile, said the leadership of TOP decided to make the “plan” known to the public to avoid casualties.
He said that violence was alien to the progressives’ family, until some ‘elements’ joined the party recently.
“TOP leadership knows who to hold responsible, should any attack be carried out on any member of the group or those of the party, who are loyal to the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.”
However, the APC Caretaker Chairman in the State, Mr Gboyega Famodun, in his reaction, said the allegation was baseless, noting that the allegation should be disregarded.
“The allegation is unfounded. It cannot be substantiated. It should be disregarded. Anybody can come up with any allegation. TOP should show the proof of their allegation.
“We are members of the same family. Nobody is thinking evil against anybody,” Famodun said.
