House of Assembly members fight dirty in Oyo, machetes used, many injured

Two serving members of the Oyo state House of Assembly and their supporters yesterday engaged one another in a free for all fight at Ojoo area of Ibadan.

It was learnt that the lawmakers, Hon. Temitope Olatoye (a.k.a Sugar) and Hon. Abiodun Adigun-Hammed (a.k.a Murphy), representing Lagelu and Akinyele II constituencies, respectively, had been on each other’s throat since both, declared interest to contest the House of Representatives ticket on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.

Scores of supporters from the two camps were wounded as machetes were freely used. Several cars were also damaged during the clash. The politicians were seen running after themselves while traders and everyone around ran for their dear lives in the ensuing confusion.

This is how Nigerian Tribune chronicled the genesis of the clash: “Honourable Adigun-Hammed had organised a programme for the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to meet with some spare parts sellers around the area, who, according to sources, had lamented neglect by the state government.

“Honourable Adigun-Hammed, it was learnt, was set to receive Governor Ajimobi at the area, with the governor’s advance team already on the ground.

“Eyewitness further informed that Honourable Olatoye and his supporters were also on ground since 10.00 a.m. to welcome the governor in their branded attires, earlier before Murphy, who is the host, came around 3.00 p.m.

“It was gathered that the arrival of Honourable Olatoye and his supporters almost forced Honourable Adigun-Hammed and the chairman, caretaker committee of Akinyele Local Government Area of the state to cancel the event, but the chairman warned that it will be suicidal for the party to cancel it at the 11th hour, saying their host may find it difficult to believe them. The programme, it was later decided to continue, following the assurance from the executive members of the spare parts sellers association in the area.

“With Ibadan popular fuji musician, Alhaji Rashidi Ayinde, on band stand, the pro-APC rally meant to boost the image of the party turned sour as lyrics from the musician, hailing Sugar, did not go down well with the host lawmaker and his supporters.

“At that juncture, eyewitness informed that the two serving lawmakers clashed, leaving room for their supporters to follow suit”

According to the paper, the governor eventually shunned the event when news of the clash got to him while Hon Olatoye was also sighted at the governor’s office later that evening in blood stained cloths to report the incident .