Oyewole Mayowa Solomon, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, has died after collapsing during a party reconciliation meeting in Iyara.
Solomon reportedly became unconscious while the meeting was underway at Iyara Town Hall on Friday.
The gathering had been organised by Funsho Olumoko, a former chairman of Ijumu Local Government, as part of efforts to resolve disagreements among members of the APC in the area.
Those at the meeting reportedly attempted to revive Solomon before taking him to a hospital in Kabba, where he was later pronounced dead.
His sudden death reportedly shocked party leaders, government officials and other participants who witnessed the incident.
Why APC organised the reconciliation meeting
The meeting was part of an attempt to restore unity within the Ijumu APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Olumoko reportedly invited party stakeholders from the council’s 15 wards, including ward and local government executives, women and youth leaders as well as government appointees.
The reconciliation effort followed disagreements that emerged during an earlier APC gathering in Iyara in August.
At that meeting, party stakeholders had gathered to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for another term in office.
However, disagreements reportedly arose over the leadership of Ijumu Local Government, leading Solomon and some other party officials to leave the meeting before it ended.
Death creates fresh challenge for APC reconciliation
Solomon’s death comes at a sensitive time for the APC as the party attempts to settle internal differences and strengthen its structure ahead of the next election cycle.
His passing could further affect the reconciliation process within the Ijumu chapter of the party.
As of the time of filing this report, the specific medical cause of Solomon’s collapse had not been officially made public.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the APC leadership regarding the incident were also ongoing.
