Violence erupted during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Lagos on Monday, leaving the Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, seriously injured after suspected political thugs attacked him in Alimosho Local Government Area. The incident occurred during a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at resolving disputes from the party’s House of Representatives primary election in Lagos West, which had already turned chaotic on Saturday. Ajigbotafe, widely known as “AB Ajigbotafe,” is currently receiving medical treatment after sustaining heavy blood loss and undergoing multiple blood transfusions to stabilise his condition.
The violence on Monday was reportedly linked to tensions that flared during the Saturday primaries, where supporters of former Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area chairman Olabisi Adebajo, also known as ABISCO, clashed with those of incumbent lawmaker Ganiyu Ayuba. Armed thugs allegedly stormed the primary venue, brandishing dangerous weapons and firing sporadic gunfire, causing panic among party members. Sources indicate that Ajigbotafe’s association with one of the rival factions intensified hostilities ahead of the Monday reconciliation meeting, which quickly spiralled into violence.
During the meeting, suspected loyalists of influential political figures attacked Ajigbotafe with machetes in what witnesses described as an attempted assassination. According to a message circulated among APC stakeholders, the commissioner was seriously injured, his vehicle was damaged, and security personnel were also wounded. The attack has sent shockwaves through the Lagos APC, especially in Alimosho, a key political stronghold for the party in the state.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from party members and stakeholders, who are alarmed by the rising levels of violence, intimidation, and political hooliganism within local party structures. Debo Awosheye, a concerned party member and Certified Protection Officer, described the attack as disturbing and damaging to the party’s image. He stated, “These incidents are unacceptable and capable of damaging the unity, reputation, and democratic values of our party.” Awosheye stressed that no political ambition should justify violence or threats against party members, warning that failure to address the crisis could deepen internal divisions and harm the party’s standing ahead of future elections.
Another APC member called the attack “barbaric,” questioning how a sitting commissioner could be publicly assaulted and left bleeding. “How can you fight a sitting commissioner publicly and injure him to the point of blood flow? This is not acceptable,” the member said. The incident underscores the urgent need for leadership intervention to restore peace and ensure the safety of party officials and members across Lagos. As the APC grapples with internal conflicts, the attack on Ajigbotafe serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked political violence in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.
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