Armed policemen yesterday took over the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State as loyalists of the former governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, and Senator Abiodun Olujimi clashed over the conduct of ward congresses.
The crisis broke out around 4p.m at the state secretariat located at Ajilosun area of Ado Ekiti when the supporters of the two political gladiators were waiting for members of the appeal panel sent to adjudicate on matters arising from the conduct of last Saturday’s congress arrived the state.
It was gathered that weapons like bottles, cutlasses and stones were deployed as members of the appeal panel sent by Chief Uche Secondus-led national executive arrived.
This prompted the police to immediately draft a detachment of policemen to the secretariat.
However, before the police could restore order, many persons were said to have been wounded in the fight.
The outcome of the congress had elicited controversy, with those loyal to the senator representing Ekiti South, accusing the leader of the team that conducted the ward congress and Taraba State Deputy Governor, Mr. Haruna Manu, of plotting to rig in favour of Fayose.
Olujimi’s supporters claimed that they overran Fayose’s political machinery in the poll conducted on the field.