The Forum of Ward Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure South Local Government, Ondo State, is sounding the alarm over an alleged brutal attack on Oluwadare Olanrewaju, the chairman of Ward 8, by Oluwafemi Fadairo, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Community Engagement (Central), commonly referred to as ‘Fada.’
According to sources, tensions escalated between the two individuals during a recent thank-you tour by Governor Aiyedatiwa when discussions arose regarding the allocation of funds intended for the ward.
Reports indicate that the chairman is currently in a coma due to the violence inflicted upon him.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the ward chairmen accused Fadairo of leading a group of suspected thugs to confront Olanrewaju over the distribution of the N1 million earmarked for each ward as part of the governor’s largesse.
Fadairo, who is also a House of Representatives aspirant for the Akure South/Akure North federal constituency, allegedly demanded that Olanrewaju include names of his supporters on the beneficiary list, a request the ward chairman reportedly refused to comply with.
The statement from the forum claims, “When he refused to manipulate the list, the intimidation began.
He was repeatedly harassed, trailed, and ultimately beaten into unconsciousness, prompting his immediate hospitalization.”
The chairmen condemned the incident, labeling it “barbaric and shameful,” particularly given Fadairo’s connection to the governor’s office.
They have since reported the matter to both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Zone 17, in Akure.
In response to the accusations, Fadairo denied any involvement in the assault, asserting that the claims were fabrications aimed at damaging his reputation amid his political aspirations.
“There has never been a day I physically assaulted him. These are lies concocted to undermine my popularity in the ward and destabilize my political structure, but their efforts are futile,” he stated.
This incident continues to raise concerns about political violence and accountability within the state’s leadership. Further developments are awaited as investigations by law enforcement agencies proceed.
Credit: Daily Post except headline
