Political Thugs Disrupt Abeokuta North LG Legislative Session Over Leadership Dispute
By People’s Voice Nigeria | News
Grassroots democracy faced a major setback on Thursday when suspected political thugs disrupted the inaugural session of the legislative arm of Abeokuta North Local Government. Tensions flared among some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the election of principal officers for the local government’s legislative house.
Reports indicate that certain party leaders had primed some councillors to occupy the four principal leadership positions. When their plan failed, chaos ensued, disrupting legislative business. The mace, symbolizing the authority of the house, was reportedly taken away by an unknown person. Sources suggest that ambitious councillors and their supporters were responsible for the breakdown of order in the legislative chamber.
A councillor, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that conflicts among various stakeholders had been resolved before the inauguration. However, despite prior agreements, political actors chose to act differently, leading to the fiasco. Another councillor expressed disappointment, noting that the incident could have been avoided if appeals by concerned party leaders and stakeholders had been heeded.
A party leader who witnessed the drama described the incident as unfortunate. According to the source, some party leaders had come to ensure their loyalists occupied the four principal offices in the legislative house. When it became clear that their loyalists would not emerge, they allegedly resorted to disrupting the proceedings.
The source further alleged that in their desperate bid to actualize their agenda, the suspected supporters imported political thugs to unleash mayhem on local government staff and party faithful who had come to witness the appointment of principal officers. Multiple sources have identified most of the councillors involved in the crisis, and the APC leadership is expected to take appropriate action in due course
