From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
What was meant to be a moment of relief and celebration for hundreds of party faithful in Oke-Onigbin, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, turned chaotic recently as some aggrieved youths and women reportedly stormed and disrupted an empowerment programme organised by House of Representatives hopeful, Chief Adejoke Adeyemi.
The United Kingdom-based philanthropist had convened the initiative for selected members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), drawn from Isin, Oke-Ero, Ekiti and Irepodun local government areas.
Speaking with journalists Adeyemi explained that the outreach was her response to the biting economic hardship facing many families.
“I appreciate God for all He has done for me. I felt it is pertinent to also extend the divine gesture to my people. This ravaging economic hardship provided the timing for my fellow registered APC members. I understand what it means to have stable income and good financial source she said.”
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According to one of the organisers, the programme featured the distribution of empowerment items including 10 cars, one Bajaj motorcycle, bags of rice, 10 chest freezers, 20 grinding machines, 10 hair dryers, four make-up kits, 10 generating sets and 30 sewing machines.
A beneficiary, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that most of the items had already been handed over to recipients before the disruption occurred. “The distribution had been successfully concluded for many of the lucky beneficiaries before the fierce-looking thugs struck,” the source said.
Another eyewitness revealed that the programme was almost rounding off when the attackers allegedly invaded the venue and carted away large quantities of 5kg bags of rice meant for party members.
Although no casualty was recorded, security sources confirmed that the situation overwhelmed personnel drafted to the venue. “Our men there said they tried to resist them, but the people overpowered the security team comprising soldiers, police, Civil Defence Corps, Road Safety officials and local hunters,” a security source stated.
Dignitaries present at the event included Honourable members, Traditional rulers such as the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Kalmadeen Salawudeen Onigbin of Oke-Onigbin, the Onigbesi of Igbesi, the Oniwo of Oke Aba and other prominent personalities also graced the occasion.
Adeyemi noted that about 1,500 beneficiaries were captured in the programme, with women constituting 70 per cent and men 30 per cent.
The incident has since generated conversations within political circles in Kwara South, with observers calling for calm and improved security at political and empowerment gatherings across the state.
