In a stunning display of intra-party betrayal within Oyo State’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), supporters allegedly mobilized by Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi turned violent on Saturday, storming and vandalizing his Ibadan residence over unpaid allowances promised for their participation in a disputed “charade” parallel congress.
The angry youths, who provided crowd muscle and logistical support to challenge the mainstream structure of PDP under Governor Makinde, felt deeply used and discarded when the expected “Congress funds” never materialized, leading to vandalization of properties and chaotic scenes that exposed the volatile underbelly of factional politics where grassroots mobilizers often bear the brunt of broken promises and unpaid debts.
The incident, described by eyewitnesses as a direct fallout from a disputed parallel congress, stems from allegations that Gbolarumi failed to compensate mobilized youths and supporters who participated in what critics have labeled a “charade congress” aimed at challenging the mainstream PDP structure under Governor Seyi Makinde.
Sources close to the aggrieved group claim the supporters were promised payments for their roles in attending the parallel gathering, providing crowd presence, and demonstrating loyalty to Wike’s camp. When the expected funds failed to materialize, frustration boiled over into destructive action.
“These boys were mobilized from different parts of Ibadan and beyond with assurances of ‘Congress money’ which included transport fare, feeding, and allowances,” one anonymous angry supporter of Gbolarumi told newsmen. “When nothing came after the exercise, they felt used and betrayed. They went straight to his house to express their anger in the only way they know.”
The vandalism reportedly involved breaking and damaging of properties and causing significant disruption in the neighborhood. Security operatives were said to have been alerted.
Alhaji Gbolarumi has been at the center of factional disputes within the party for years. His camp has repeatedly clashed with Makinde’s mainstream PDP in Oyo State. This latest outburst highlights the volatile undercurrents in the fractured camp of PDP, where unpaid mobilization debts have triggered violence and property destruction.
Efforts to reach Alhaji Gbolarumi or his representatives for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
