The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Oyewole Solomon, has died after reportedly collapsing during a party reconciliation meeting in Iyara, the headquarters of the local government.
Solomon reportedly slumped on Friday while the meeting was ongoing at Iyara Town Hall, triggering confusion and panic among political leaders, delegates and other participants gathered for the reconciliation exercise.
His death was subsequently confirmed by the Kogi State APC Chairman, Aliyu Ezzu, who described Solomon as a committed party leader whose contributions to the growth, stability and unity of the APC in Ijumu would not be forgotten.
In a condolence message issued on behalf of Ezzu, the state APC leadership said Solomon’s sudden death had sent shock and sadness across the APC family in Ijumu Local Government and Kogi State.
Ezzu expressed deep sorrow over the development and commiserated with Governor Usman Ododo, the people of Ijumu Local Government Area, members of Solomon’s family, his friends and associates, as well as the wider APC family.
The state chairman described the deceased as a dedicated party leader who played a significant role in strengthening the party and promoting unity among its members in the local government.
He prayed that God would grant Solomon’s family and the entire APC family the strength to bear the loss, while urging party members and supporters to remain calm and united during the period of mourning.
According to reports, Solomon was rushed to a medical facility in neighbouring Kabba following his collapse at the meeting, where he was reportedly pronounced dead.
The exact cause of his death has not been officially disclosed.
The circumstances surrounding his sudden collapse have consequently become a major point of concern, particularly because the incident occurred during a politically significant reconciliation meeting involving APC stakeholders.
The meeting was reportedly convened to harmonise political interests, reconcile factions, resolve internal disagreements and foster greater unity among APC members in Ijumu ahead of future political activities.
The initiative was reportedly convened by a former chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area, Funsho Olumoko, following a mandate from the Ijumu Consultative Forum.
Solomon’s death therefore came against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by party stakeholders to settle internal disagreements and strengthen the APC’s political structure in the local government.
The sudden incident reportedly left political leaders and delegates at the venue stunned as efforts were made to secure medical attention for the chairman.
The APC executives in Ijumu Local Government Area have also mourned Solomon, describing his death as sudden, painful and devastating.
In a condolence message signed by the party’s General Secretary, Joshua Oshatoba, the executives said Solomon died while actively serving the party and working towards its future political activities.
They described him as a committed party leader who served with dedication, courage and a strong sense of responsibility.
According to the executives, Solomon’s death represents a significant loss not only to his immediate family but also to the APC, Ijumu Local Government Area and the wider Ijumu community.
They said he remained actively involved in party activities until his death and was contributing to efforts aimed at preparing the party for future political engagements.
“Though words are inadequate to express the pain in our hearts, we take solace in the legacy of service, commitment, and sacrifice he leaves behind,” the executives said.
The member representing Ijumu Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Omotayo Ishaya, also mourned the late APC chairman, describing his death as a painful and irreparable loss.
Ishaya described Solomon as a committed party member and brother whose contributions to the political development and unity of Ijumu would not be forgotten.
She said his death was a profound loss to his immediate family, the APC family, the people of Ogale Aduge and the entire Ijumu Constituency.
The development has thrown the political community in Ijumu into mourning, particularly as party leaders and stakeholders were engaged in efforts to reconcile factions and resolve internal disagreements within the APC.
Beyond the grief, the unexplained nature of Solomon’s sudden collapse has also heightened public interest in the circumstances surrounding his death.
However, there is currently no official evidence indicating that his death was connected to the political disagreements or reconciliation process. The cause of death remains undisclosed, and any further conclusion would be premature until relevant authorities or the family provide additional information.
For now, the APC in Ijumu is mourning the loss of its chairman, who reportedly collapsed while participating in a meeting aimed at bringing rival interests together and strengthening unity within the party.