Posted by By MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta on
The factional crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State took a dangerous dimension as suspected political thugs, in the wee hours of Monday burnt the house of a PDP chieftain, Chief Okanlawon Soboyede.
• PDP chieftain's home torched
The factional crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State took a dangerous dimension as suspected political thugs, in the wee hours of Monday burnt the house of a PDP chieftain, Chief Okanlawon Soboyede.
The hoodlums also left their heinous fingerprints at the official residence of the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. (Mrs) Titi Oseni, where they fired volley of shots into the building located at the Government Reservation Area of the state capital.
The burning of Soboyede's house, a storey-building located in 6, Coker Street, Isale Ake, Abeokuta, was a fallout of the sharing formula in the appointment of special advisers and supervisory councilors in the council area.
The political thugs, who caught all security agents in the state unawares also stormed the official residence of another aide of Governor Gbenga Daniel.
The nephew of the last Alake of Egbaland, Oba Mofolorunsho Lipede, Chief Adeyanju Lipede emerged the new chairman of the council, while the 'Governor" of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the state, Mr. Muse Jimoh, also emerged as the vice chairman.
There had been unsettled political rivalry among different political stakeholders, which include the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Oseni; the state Commissioner for Youths Sports and Development, Mr. Bukola Olopade; the former Chairman and Secretary to the Council, Chief Akeem Ologbohun, Chief Afolabi, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.
When journalists visited the house on Tuesday, sympathizers were seen in the compound lamenting the attack, which they described as uncalled for.
Items damaged by the fire include television sets, refrigerator, furniture, clothings, some undisclosed sum of money and other valuables. Two cars were completely burnt, while three others were vandalized with their windscreens shattered.
The two vehicles that were burnt were a Peuoget 406 salon car and a Toyota Camry. Others that were vandalized were Mazda 626, with registration number PDP 01 ASLG and an Opel Omega Vectra with registration number BX 480LSD.
Chief Soboyede, who was not around at the time his attackers came calling, refused to comment when asked to do so. 'I have nothing to say now," he said.
One of his political aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity, however, told Daily Sun that the PDP chieftain was worried at the turn of events in his political party.
His words: 'It was an organized attack targetted at Chief (Soboyede). I am sure if the hoodlums had met him or anyone at home, they could have killed such a person."
The source further told Daily Sun that Chief Soboyede had already made reports at the Adatan Police Station, whose operatives had also started investigations.
PDP's Director of Organization, Mr. Deji Kalejaiye, while reacting to the arson, which he described as unfortunate said: 'We actually have heard about what happened. The leadership of the party is meeting over the issue.
'We are quite disappointed. All the culprits will be identified and brought to book. The PDP is a disciplined party, which believes in due process. The act of hooliganism is condemnable in its totality."