Kogi APC Reconciliation Meeting Ends in Tragedy as Party Chairman Dies
A reconciliation meeting organised to resolve internal disagreements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State ended in tragedy after the party’s local government chairman, Oyewole Mayowa Solomon, collapsed and died.
Solomon reportedly collapsed on Friday while participating in the meeting at Iyara Town Hall, the headquarters of Ijumu Local Government Area.
The gathering had been convened by a former chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area, Funsho Olumoko, as part of efforts to bring party stakeholders together and address lingering disagreements within the local chapter.
Solomon reportedly rushed to hospital
Sources at the meeting said Solomon suddenly collapsed while proceedings were ongoing, triggering confusion among party leaders and other participants.
Efforts were reportedly made to revive him before he was rushed to a hospital in Kabba for medical attention.
However, reports said he died shortly after arriving at the facility.
The circumstances surrounding his sudden collapse and death had not been officially disclosed as of the time of reporting.
This means there is currently no verified public information establishing the medical cause of death.
Meeting was aimed at resolving party differences
The meeting was organised against the backdrop of internal disagreements among APC stakeholders in Ijumu.
The reconciliation effort was intended to bring together party leaders, local government and ward executives, women and youth leaders, government appointees and other political stakeholders from the 15 wards in the council area.
Earlier in August, APC stakeholders in Ijumu had gathered in Iyara and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for re-election.
That earlier gathering was reportedly affected by disagreements over the leadership of the local government, with Solomon and some other officials said to have walked out of the meeting.
Friday’s meeting was subsequently convened as another attempt to bridge the differences and strengthen unity within the party ahead of future political activities and the 2027 general elections.
Party members mourn
Solomon’s sudden death has left APC members and political associates in Ijumu mourning.
The development is also expected to affect the ongoing reconciliation process within the local chapter as party leaders work to manage the situation and continue efforts to resolve existing disagreements.
For now, the exact cause of Solomon’s death remains undisclosed, with reports stressing that he collapsed during the meeting before being taken to a medical facility in Kabba.