APC chairman slumps, dies during reconciliation meeting in Kogi

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Oyewole Mayowa Solomon, has died.

Solomon reportedly collapsed on Friday during a reconciliation meeting at Iyara, the headquarters of Ijumu LGA.

The APC chairman was said to have received medical attention at the venue before he was rushed to a hospital in Kabba, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The meeting was convened by a former chairman of Ijumu LGA, Funsho Olumoko, to reconcile factions, resolve internal disputes and foster unity among stakeholders ahead of future political engagements.

However, it was learnt that the previous session ended in a deadlock over an alleged crisis in the local government leadership of the party, prompting the deceased, several party stakeholders and top government officials to stage a walkout.

According to reports, Friday’s follow-up meeting was meant to bridge the divides by bringing together selected political leaders, local government and ward executives, women and youth leaders, and government appointees representing all 15 wards of Ijumu LGA.

Meanwhile, the federal lawmakers representing the area, Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, and Hon. Salman Idris, representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, have expressed deep sorrow over the sudden death of the party chairman.

The duo described the late party chairman as a loyal, committed and grassroots mobiliser whose contributions to the growth of the APC in Ijumu and Kogi West would be greatly missed.

“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.

The Kogi State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, had not responded to our inquiry about the incident as of the time of filing this report.