Violence erupted on Monday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Lagos State, leaving the Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, hospitalised after he was allegedly attacked by suspected political thugs in Alimosho Local Government Area.
The commissioner, popularly known as “AB Ajigbotafe,” was reportedly left in critical condition with severe injuries and heavy blood loss following the violent confrontation that disrupted a reconciliation meeting convened to address disputes arising from the party’s House of Representatives primary election in Lagos West.
Eyewitness accounts and party sources said the crisis stemmed from lingering tensions generated during Saturday’s primaries, which involved supporters of former Mosan-Okunola LCDA chairman, Olabisi Adebajo, popularly called ABISCO, and incumbent lawmaker, Ganiyu Ayuba.
The primary election had reportedly turned violent after armed groups allegedly invaded the venue, wielding dangerous weapons and causing panic, with sporadic gunshots forcing party members to flee for safety.
Monday’s stakeholders’ meeting, meant to douse tensions and reconcile aggrieved factions, was said to have taken a worse turn when suspected loyalists of rival political blocs allegedly stormed the venue and attacked the commissioner and other party members with machetes.
A party source described the incident as a coordinated assault, claiming the attack on Ajigbotafe was targeted and nearly fatal.
“The assassination attempt on the Honourable Commissioner was unsuccessful, but he sustained serious injuries. His vehicle was damaged and security aides were also injured,” the source said.
Medical officials reportedly battled to stabilise the commissioner after he lost significant blood and required multiple transfusions.
The incident has thrown the Lagos APC structure into further disarray, particularly in Alimosho—one of the party’s most politically strategic strongholds.
Members of the ruling party have continued to express outrage over the recurring pattern of violence and intimidation in the state’s internal party processes.
A concerned party stakeholder and Certified Protection Officer, Debo Awosheye, condemned the development, describing it as a dangerous threat to internal democracy.
“These incidents are unacceptable and capable of damaging the unity, reputation, and democratic values of our party,” he said, urging urgent intervention by party leadership.
Another party member also decried the level of brutality witnessed during the fracas, questioning how a sitting commissioner could be violently attacked in such a manner during a party meeting.
As of press time, the Lagos State APC leadership had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, even as calls mount for investigations and sanctions against those behind the violence.
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