The All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congresses recently held across various Nigerian states presented a stark contrast in their conduct and outcomes, with some regions experiencing severe violence and disruptions, while others proceeded peacefully and orderly. This divergence underscores the complex political landscape and the varying commitment to peaceful democratic processes within the party.

In Ondo State, the congresses were marred by significant violence, drawing condemnation and raising serious allegations. On Tuesday, the party's secretariat in Akure, the state capital, was attacked by suspected hoodlums during a crucial stakeholders' meeting convened ahead of the ward congresses. Ade Adetimehin, the caretaker chairman of the APC in Ondo, was reportedly beaten to a pulp, and his phone was confiscated. This assault forced party leaders and stakeholders to abandon their meeting amidst chaos, as assailants, armed with sticks, machetes, and other weapons, compelled members to flee for safety. Following the incident, Adetimehin accused members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), allegedly led by chairman Ademola Odudu, of orchestrating the attack under the orders of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, however, vehemently denied these allegations. He stated that he received a call from the party chairman on Tuesday morning about the meeting but had requested it be rescheduled to 2 p.m. to accommodate his attendance at the 50th birthday ceremony of a cabinet member and stakeholder. Aiyedatiwa asserted that most stakeholders, including himself, were at this birthday event during the time of the attack. He attributed the disturbance not to his directive, but to rival groups loyal to different aspirants, saying, “At about 11am, I got a call from the party chairman that there was going to be a stakeholders’ meeting, which I approved. But I told them it should be fixed for 2 p.m. because I was attending the 50th birthday of one of our stakeholders who is a cabinet member.”

The violence in Ondo escalated further in the Idanre community, Idanre Local Government Area, where two people were tragically killed amid the ward congresses. The unidentified victims were attacked by hoodlums, continuing the pattern of unrest. During this incident, Raphael Adetimehin, the younger brother of the state party chairman, Ade Adetimehin, was severely macheted and left in a coma. His car was also set ablaze. Sources indicated that the hoodlums, armed with dangerous weapons, invaded the congress venue, shooting sporadically, destroying vehicles, and causing numerous injuries to party members attempting to escape. The state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, confirmed the attack on his brother, noting that the assailants might have mistaken Raphael for him due to their resemblance. Despite the presence of security personnel, sources claimed the “drivers union people” (NURTW) walked freely with weapons, unchallenged. In response, Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal visited the community, initiated an investigation, and ordered the deployment of additional tactical teams to restore order and protect lives and property.

In stark contrast to the unrest in Ondo, the APC ward congresses in Benue State proceeded with commendable peace and order. Heavy security was strategically deployed across all 23 local government areas of the state on Wednesday, a measure facilitated by Governor Hyacinth Alia to ensure a hitch-free and peaceful exercise. The State Chairman of APC, Chief Benjamin Omale, praised this arrangement. Sensitive election materials were distributed early under the supervision of the Ward and Local Government Congress Committee Chairman, Auwalu Ishaye, who expressed confidence in the peaceful disposition of Benue people. Omale also urged electoral officers to maintain discipline and strict compliance with the National Working Committee's regulations. The State Organising Secretary, James Ornguga, explained that the congresses would elect 27 executive committee members in each ward and 10 delegates. He expressed optimism for a peaceful exercise, noting that most positions had single aspirants, thereby reducing the potential for contentious contests.

Similarly, Kwara State's chapter of the APC conducted its congresses across all 193 wards on Wednesday in a widely praised peaceful and “carnival-like” manner. The exercise, which led to the emergence of new party leadership at the ward level through affirmation, was overseen by the Screening and Appeals Committee from the national secretariat. Prince Sunday Fagbemi, the state APC Chairman, reported no adverse incidents, highlighting that the affirmation method made the exercise “less rancorous.” He described it as a change of batons, solidifying the party's foundation and foretelling future electoral success. Alhaji Abdullahi Samari, Chairman of the Congress Committee, confirmed that all participants were duly screened and found worthy. Oche Muhammed, Secretary of the Screening Committee, corroborated the peaceful conduct and the ongoing receipt of results. Local officials, such as Hon Suleiman Tejidini of Ilorin West Local Government, praised the smooth, rancour-free reaffirmation of executives, citing collective decision-making and widespread jubilation. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was also thanked for creating an enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the congresses. Reports from both Southern and Northern Senatorial Districts affirmed the smooth progression of the exercise.

These contrasting experiences in Ondo, Benue, and Kwara illustrate the diverse realities within Nigeria's political landscape during party internal elections, ranging from deadly violence to organized and peaceful democratic affirmations, highlighting the critical role of leadership, security, and party consensus in ensuring the integrity of such processes.