Chaos broke out in Ede, hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke, as supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord Party clashed during the flag-off of a shopping complex reconstruction. Police intervened, firing tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The incident occurred in Ede-North Local Government when supporters of the reinstated APC council chairman, Elliot Adeyemi, began the reconstruction of a shopping complex demolished during a road dualisation project around the Elerin area. Accord Party members reportedly stormed the venue, arguing that the APC chairman lacked authority to oversee the project following his court removal.

Tensions escalated into physical altercations and stone-throwing, prompting police to fire tear gas, forcing both supporters and shop owners to flee. The situation was eventually de-escalated.

Elliot Adeyemi said the violence stemmed from a misunderstanding between the APC and Accord supporters. “I did not expect thugs to be mobilized to the venue. This is purely a dispute over a project meant to benefit the town. It is unfortunate that residents of Ede disrupted it,” he stated.

Meanwhile, PDP-elected council chairman, Amodu Taiwo, criticised the APC, claiming the project was conceived under his administration and accusing the Elliot-led council executive of acting illegally. “When the reinstated chairman and his officials tried to begin construction, we reported it to the police, but nothing was done. Yesterday, when they attempted a flag-off, residents resisted because the chairman cannot spend council funds illegally. My aide’s car was vandalized in the process,” Taiwo said.

The land in question is located at Oja-Oje, Elerin. Local traditional leaders have called for a meeting to resolve the dispute.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions in the town over control of local development projects and political authority. (Vanguard)