A leadership meeting of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta Central ended in chaos on Saturday after a confrontation among party members at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, in Effurun, Delta State.
According to eyewitnesses, the gathering turned violent as some participants allegedly engaged in physical altercations, throwing chairs and other objects during the disturbance.
Several party members were reportedly injured in the incident. Among those said to have been affected was a Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Government, who was seen leaving the venue in videos circulating on social media.
Sources familiar with the meeting claimed the clash may have stemmed from disagreements between rival factions within the party. The dispute was reportedly linked to tensions involving supporters of a Delta State commissioner, founding members of the APC, and individuals associated with the governor’s Senior Special Assistant, who joined the party last year.
According to the sources, some founding members alleged they had been sidelined from party benefits by newer entrants, leading to heightened tensions during the meeting.
The unrest forced party leaders to leave the venue under the protection of their security aides, while some property was reportedly damaged during the chaos.
The incident has renewed concerns over internal cohesion within the Delta APC and the conduct of political meetings in the state.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Delta State Government, the Delta APC nor the Nigeria Police Force had issued an official statement detailing the incident.
Stakeholders have called for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the disruption and ensure anyone found responsible for unlawful acts is held accountable in accordance with the law.
