Lagos APC Primaries Turn Violent: Commissioner Hospitalized After Machete Attack

A Lagos State Commissioner is fighting for his life after a violent clash at an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting on Monday. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, is currently hospitalized in critical condition following severe blood loss in Alimosho. He's receiving treatment for his injuries.

The meeting was called to resolve a bitter dispute over Saturday’s chaotic Lagos West House of Representatives primary, which had previously been disrupted by armed thugs wielding guns and dangerous weapons. Inside sources attribute the ongoing hostility to a fierce rivalry between camp loyalists of incumbent lawmaker Ganiyu Ayuba and former Mosan-Okunola LCDA chairperson, Olabisi 'ABISCO' Adebajo. They're locked in a heated battle for control.

Tensions boiled over on Monday when suspected political thugs targeted Ajigbotafe. Insiders suggest the commissioner was singled out due to his alignment with one of the warring factions. This turned the peace summit into a bloody ambush that witnesses have labeled an assassination attempt.

'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 said in a message circulated among APC stakeholders.

Sources disclosed that the commissioner lost a significant amount of blood. He's undergone multiple blood transfusions as doctors battled to stabilise him. The development has thrown the Lagos APC into turmoil, especially in Alimosho, one of the party’s strongest political strongholds in the state. It's a critical area for the party.

The attack sparked outrage among party members and stakeholders, many of whom condemned the growing wave of violence, intimidation, and hooliganism within the party’s local structures. In a strongly worded statement addressed to APC leaders in Alimosho, a concerned party member and Certified Protection Officer, Debo Awosheye, described the attack as dangerous and disgraceful. He won't back down from his criticism.

Awosheye warned that if urgent steps weren't taken, the crisis could spiral further and damage the APC’s reputation ahead of future elections. He's calling for action to prevent further violence. Another APC member described the incident as 'barbaric' and called for urgent intervention by party leaders. They can't afford to wait.

The party has struggled to contain its internal conflicts, which often spill over into the public sphere. As the country gears up for the next general election, the APC needs to get its house in order to present a united front against its opponents. It can't win if it's divided.

But what's really at stake here is the future of democracy in Lagos State. When politicians resort to violence to settle scores, it undermines the very foundations of the democratic process. The people of Lagos deserve better than a party that can't even conduct its own primaries without bloodshed. They're watching and waiting for change.

So, who is Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, the commissioner at the center of this storm? Ajigbotafe is a prominent figure in Lagos politics, having served in various capacities before his current appointment as Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment. His role in the state government has been significant. He's focused on creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. It's a tough job, but he's committed to it.

The Lagos West House of Representatives primary, which sparked the violence, is a critical election that will determine the party's candidate for the federal legislature. The seat is currently held by Ganiyu Ayuba, who is seeking re-election. However, his bid is being challenged by Olabisi 'ABISCO' Adebajo, a former council chairperson with a strong grassroots following. She's a force to be reckoned with.

As the APC struggles to contain the fallout from the violence, the party's leaders must take decisive action to prevent further bloodshed. The people of Lagos are watching, and the party's reputation is on the line. They won't tolerate any more violence. The question on everyone's mind is: what's next for the APC in Lagos? It's unclear, but one thing is clear: the party needs to change.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from party members and stakeholders, with many calling for urgent intervention to prevent further violence. As the APC navigates this crisis, it's clear that the party needs to take a long, hard look at its internal dynamics and find a way to resolve its conflicts peacefully. They can't keep fighting like this. The party's future depends on it.

For now, the people of Lagos can only watch and wait as the drama unfolds. The future of democracy in the state depends on the ability of politicians to put their differences aside and work towards the greater good. They must find a way to work together. The people of Lagos are counting on them. They won't give up on their state.