Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - 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.
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