The Forum of Ward Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure South Local Government has accused a Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor, Oluwafemi Fadairo, of leading a brutal attack that left the APC Ward 8 Chairman, Mr. Oluwadare Olanrewaju, in a coma during the governor’s recent thank-you tour in Akure.
In a strongly worded statement, the ward chairmen alleged that Fadairo, alongside the Ward 8 Councillor, Babafemi Ajayi, and suspected thugs, assaulted the chairman over a disagreement on the sharing of the ₦1 million “thank-you” fund allocated to each ward by the state government.
The money, meant to be distributed transparently among APC structures from unit to ward levels, reportedly became a source of tension when Fadairo allegedly insisted that Olanrewaju include names from his personal loyalists’ group on the beneficiary list.
“When he refused to manipulate the list, the intimidation began,” the forum alleged.
“He was repeatedly harassed, trailed, and eventually beaten to the point of unconsciousness. A good Samaritan had to rush him to the hospital.”
The forum described the incident as “barbaric, needless, and shameful,” especially coming from individuals connected to the governor’s office.
Earlier interventions by senior party stakeholders reportedly failed to stop the harassment.
The injured chairman has since reported the matter to his lawyer, who filed formal complaints with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Zone 17, Akure.
Those accused were reportedly detained briefly but later released on bail without compensation.
“There is absolutely no justification for attacking any APC ward chairman,” the group said.
“Leadership should protect people, not endanger them. Anyone who promotes violence is unfit for the privilege of public office.”
The ward chairmen reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC constitution and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration but urged the governor to “take note of how some aides are abusing their positions to intimidate grassroots leaders.”
All efforts by Roving Reporters to reach Fadairo for comments were unsuccessful, as he neither answered his calls nor responded to WhatsApp messages.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of NPF Zone 17, Mr. Desmond Sosanya, said he was not aware if the case had been officially reported at the zone but promised to update Roving Reporters on Monday.
