The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State was thrown into deep mourning on Friday following the sudden death of its local government chairman, Oyewole Mayowa Solomon.
Solomon reportedly slumped during a peace and reconciliation meeting held at the Iyara Town Hall, the administrative headquarters of the local government area.
According to participants, the meeting was actively underway when the late party leader suddenly collapsed, causing instant confusion, panic, and devastation among the political leaders and delegates in attendance.
Efforts were made immediately to administer aid and rush Solomon to a medical facility in neighboring Kabba. However, he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at the hospital.
Efforts Toward Party Unity
The gathering had been convened by Funsho Olumoko, a former chairman of the Ijumu Local Government Area who was recently tasked by the Ijumu Consultative Forum to harmonize political interests within the region. The session aimed to reconcile factions, resolve internal disputes, and foster unity among stakeholders ahead of future political engagements.
The peace initiative followed an earlier meeting in Iyara where APC stakeholders endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for second terms. However, that previous session had experienced visible friction over local government leadership, culminating in a walkout by the deceased and several top government functionaries.
Friday’s follow-up meeting was meant to bridge those divides, bringing together selected political leaders, local government and ward executives, women and youth leaders, and government appointees representing all 15 wards of Ijumu LGA.
Uncertainty Surrounding Future Reconciliation
The sudden passing of Solomon has delivered a major shockwave to the political landscape in Kogi West, casting a heavy shadow over ongoing efforts to unify party ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of press time, the exact medical cause of death has not been officially disclosed, and formal statements from the APC state executive and local authorities remain pending.
