Violence broke out during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Lagos on Monday after suspected political thugs allegedly attacked the Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, during a clash in Alimosho Local Government Area.
Ajigbotafe, popularly known as “AB Ajigbotafe” within political circles, was reportedly left seriously injured and is currently receiving medical treatment after sustaining heavy blood loss during the incident.
It was gathered that the commissioner was attacked during an APC stakeholders’ meeting convened to address disputes arising from the party’s House of Representatives primary election in Lagos West.
Sources disclosed that the crisis was linked to tensions generated during Saturday’s primaries involving supporters of former Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area chairman, Olabisi Adebajo, also known as ABISCO, and incumbent lawmaker, Ganiyu Ayuba.
The primary election was said to have turned chaotic after armed thugs allegedly invaded the venue wielding dangerous weapons, causing panic among party members and triggering sporadic gunfire.
Party insiders alleged that Ajigbotafe was associated with one of the rival political factions, a development believed to have heightened hostilities ahead of Monday’s reconciliation meeting.
The peace meeting, however, reportedly degenerated into violence after suspected loyalists of influential political figures allegedly attacked the commissioner with machetes in what witnesses described as an attempted assassination.
“The assassination attempt on the Honourable Commissioner was unsuccessful; however, he sustained serious injuries, his vehicle was damaged, and security personnel were severely wounded,” a party member stated in a message circulated among APC stakeholders.
Sources further disclosed that the commissioner lost a large quantity of blood and underwent multiple blood transfusions as medical personnel worked to stabilise his condition.
The incident has reportedly unsettled the Lagos APC, particularly in Alimosho, regarded as one of the party’s strongest political bases in the state.
The attack also triggered outrage among party members and stakeholders, many of whom condemned the increasing level of violence, intimidation, and political hooliganism within local party structures.
In a statement addressed to APC leaders in Alimosho, a concerned party member and Certified Protection Officer, Debo Awosheye, described the incident as disturbing and damaging to the party’s image.
“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 crisis could worsen internal divisions and negatively affect the party’s reputation ahead of future elections.
Another APC member, who reacted to the incident, described the attack as barbaric and called for immediate intervention by party leaders.
“How can you fight a sitting commissioner publicly and injure him to the point of blood flow? This is not acceptable,” the member said.