Tragedy struck the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Friday as the party’s local government chairman, Oyewole Mayowa Solomon, reportedly collapsed and died during a reconciliation meeting in Iyara.
Solomon was said to have suddenly slumped while the meeting was underway at the headquarters of Ijumu LGA.
He reportedly received medical attention at the venue before being rushed to a hospital in Kabba, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
The meeting had been convened by a former chairman of Ijumu LGA, Funsho Olumoko, as part of efforts to reconcile warring factions, resolve internal disputes and restore unity among party stakeholders ahead of future political engagements.
The development reportedly came after an earlier reconciliation session ended in a deadlock over an alleged crisis in the local government leadership of the party. The deceased, alongside some party stakeholders and senior government officials, had reportedly walked out of the previous meeting.
Friday’s follow-up meeting was therefore designed to bring together political leaders, local government and ward executives, women and youth leaders, as well as government appointees representing all 15 wards in Ijumu, in a fresh effort to bridge the divisions.
The sudden death of the APC chairman has since thrown party members and political stakeholders in the area into mourning.
Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, and Hon. Salman Idris, representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, expressed deep sorrow over Solomon’s death.
The lawmakers described him as a loyal and committed party member who played a significant role in grassroots mobilisation and the growth of the APC in Ijumu and Kogi West.
“He was a bridge builder, a man of peace, and a grassroots politician who believed in the ideals of the APC. His commitment, dedication and loyalty to the party were exemplary.
“His death is a painful loss not only to his immediate family and Ijumu LGA, but to the entire APC family in Kogi State,” Senator Karimi said.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, had yet to respond to inquiries about the incident as of the time the report was filed.
