ONE person was shot dead, yesterday, in ward 8, Ovia North East Local Government Council of Edo State during the rescheduled ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in seven local government councils of Edo South.
It was learnt that some soldiers, who allegedly shot the boy, took to their heels when party members who queued for the exercise attempted to attack them.
There were equally gun shots in Oredo Local Government Council as supporters of the deputy governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu, and those of the former Vice Chairman of the party in the South- south, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, battled for the soul of the party in the area.
Meanwhile, Odubu’s chairmanship candidate, Chief Isaac Omoruyi, emerged the chairman of his ward in Urghonigbe, after polling 514 to defeat his opponent, Anthony Edegbe, who polled 244.
But there was no election in Ugboko Niro, the ward of Ize-Iyamu, after supporters of the deputy governor insisted there should be accreditation before voting could commence. But Ize-Iyamu explained that the register was clumsily put together and advised that people should be allowed to vote as long as they had their party cards. But his argument was rejected by the Odubu group which prompted the officials to cancel the exercise in the ward.
Reports from Oyo State said there was violence in some local government areas during the council congress of the APC in the state.
The councils where violence marred the congress were Ibadan North East, Egbeda, Iseyin and Ibarapa.
According to sources, the council’s Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan North East, popularly called Alatise, was whisked away by security men to prevent him from being attacked by angry party members.
Though the number of injured people could not be ascertained at press time, it was gathered that the congress was bloody at Ibadan North East. Apart from these councils, the congress was peaceful in the remaining local government areas of the state.
However, the congress was more of popular affirmation than election in the state.
This, Sunday Vanguard gathered, was to take care of interests of political parties that formed the APC.
There was no congress in Atiba and Oyo West local government areas where ward congress was put on hold as a result of violence.
In other parts of the state, Sunday Vanguard gathered that the congress was generally peaceful.
The congress was hitch-free in Ibadan North West, Ido, Ibadan South West and others.
Speaking with newsmen yesterday on the election in his council, Mr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, Caretaker Chairman, Ibadan North West, said it was a peaceful exercise.
In Ogun State, Governor Ibikunle Amosun described the APC Congress across the 20 local councils in the state as hugely successful, inclusive, free and fair.
