Crime
Lagos APC crisis deepens as political thugs attack Commissioner in Alimosho
Violence erupted during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Lagos State on Monday after suspected political thugs allegedly attacked and macheted the Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, during a chaotic clash in Alimosho Local Government Area.
The commissioner, popularly known in political circles as “AB Ajigbotafe,” was reportedly left in critical condition following the attack and is currently receiving treatment in hospital after suffering severe blood loss.
Sources said the violence occurred during a tense APC stakeholders’ meeting convened to address disputes arising from the party’s House of Representatives primaries in Lagos West.
The crisis reportedly stemmed from lingering tensions linked to Saturday’s primary election involving supporters of former Mosan-Okunola LCDA chairman, Olabisi Adebajo (ABISCO), and incumbent lawmaker, Ganiyu Ayuba, whose rival camps have been locked in a fierce political struggle.
The earlier primaries were said to have descended into chaos after armed thugs allegedly stormed the venue with guns and dangerous weapons, triggering panic and sporadic gunfire.
Party insiders said Ajigbotafe was aligned with one of the rival camps, a factor believed to have heightened tensions ahead of Monday’s reconciliation meeting.
What was expected to be a peace-building session reportedly degenerated into violence when suspected loyalists of influential political figures allegedly descended on the commissioner with machetes in what witnesses described as an attempted assassination.
A party member, in a message circulated among APC stakeholders, said:
“The assassination attempt on the Honourable Commissioner was unsuccessful; however, he sustained serious injuries, his vehicle was damaged and security personnel were severely wounded.”
Sources disclosed that the commissioner lost significant blood during the attack and has undergone multiple blood transfusions as doctors work to stabilise his condition.
The incident has thrown the Lagos APC, particularly the Alimosho political axis—one of the party’s strongest strongholds—into deep turmoil.
The attack has sparked widespread outrage among party members and stakeholders, many of whom condemned the rising wave of violence, intimidation, and thuggery within internal party contests.
A concerned party member and Certified Protection Officer, Debo Awosheye, described the incident as dangerous and unacceptable in a strongly worded statement circulated among APC leaders in Alimosho.
“These incidents are unacceptable and capable of damaging the unity, reputation, and democratic values of our party,” he said.
“No political ambition or disagreement should ever justify violence, intimidation, harassment, or threats against party members.”
Awosheye warned that failure to urgently address the situation could worsen internal divisions and damage the party’s image ahead of future elections.
Another party stakeholder condemned the attack as “barbaric,” calling for immediate intervention by APC leadership and security agencies.
“How can you fight a sitting commissioner publicly and injure him to the point of blood flow? This is not acceptable,” he said.
The incident has renewed concerns over escalating political violence during party primaries in Lagos State, with many members calling for a thorough investigation, arrests, and prosecution of those responsible.