APC Ward Chairman in Coma After Alleged Assault by Ondo Governor’s Aide

The political atmosphere in Akure, the Ondo State capital, has taken a violent turn following a bloody confrontation over the sharing of a ₦1 million political largesse. Oluwadare Olanrewaju, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman for Ward 8 in Akure South, is currently fighting for his life in a hospital after allegedly being beaten into a coma. The primary suspect in the brutal assault is reportedly Oluwafemi Fadairo, a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, widely known by the alias ‘Fada.’

The crisis erupted during the Governor’s recent “thank-you tour,” a celebratory event that was intended to unify the party after recent electoral successes. As part of the visit, the Governor reportedly allocated ₦1 million to each ward to facilitate grassroots engagement and welfare. However, the generosity of the state executive quickly turned into a catalyst for chaos when Fadairo and Olanrewaju disagreed over who should benefit from the funds.

According to a strongly worded statement from the Forum of Ward Chairmen in Akure South, Fadairo sought to exert his influence over the distribution process. The Governor’s aide, who is currently nursing an ambition to represent the Akure South/Akure North federal constituency in the House of Representatives, allegedly demanded that Olanrewaju include a specific list of his political loyalists as beneficiaries. The ward chairman, however, stood his ground, refusing to manipulate the official list in favor of Fadairo’s faction.

The refusal reportedly triggered a campaign of intimidation that escalated with terrifying speed. Fellow ward chairmen claimed that Olanrewaju was trailed and harassed before Fadairo allegedly led a group of thugs to descend upon him. Witnesses described a scene of “barbaric violence” that left the local party leader unconscious. Medical personnel at the facility where he was rushed have confirmed that he remains in a comatose state, with his condition described as critical.

The Forum of Ward Chairmen has expressed deep shock and embarrassment over the incident, particularly given Fadairo’s proximity to the Governor’s office. They argued that leadership should be a shield for the people rather than a weapon of endangerment. The forum’s spokesperson stated that anyone who resorts to such thuggery to settle administrative disputes is inherently unfit to hold the privilege of public office or represent the people at any level of government.

The matter has moved beyond a party dispute into the realm of a criminal investigation. Formal reports have been lodged with the Nigeria Police Force at Zone 17 in Akure and the Department of State Services (DSS). Security sources indicate that they are currently reviewing the allegations of assault and the deployment of armed thugs in a residential area. The police have promised a thorough investigation to ensure that no one, regardless of their political standing, is above the law.

As the news of the assault spreads, tension is mounting within the Ondo APC. There are growing calls for Governor Aiyedatiwa to take decisive action against his aide to prove that his administration does not condone violence. Supporters of the hospitalized chairman have threatened to retaliate if justice is not served swiftly, raising fears of further instability as the state approaches a high-stakes legislative primary season.

For now, the focus remains on the survival of Oluwadare Olanrewaju. His colleagues have asked for prayers from the public while demanding that the Governor’s office officially distances itself from Fadairo’s alleged actions. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the volatility that often surrounds the management of political funds at the grassroots level in Nigeria, where a gesture of goodwill can tragically transform into a life-threatening conflict.