APC Ijumu Chairman Oyewole Solomon has died after reportedly collapsing during a reconciliation meeting in Iyara, Kogi State.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State has been thrown into mourning following the death of its chairman, Oyewole Mayowa Solomon, who reportedly collapsed during a party reconciliation meeting in Iyara.
Solomon was said to have taken part in the meeting on Friday, August 21, before suddenly collapsing while efforts were being made to resolve disagreements among members and political stakeholders within the local chapter.
The meeting was reportedly part of a renewed reconciliation process aimed at addressing divisions within the party and restoring unity among APC leaders, executives and other stakeholders across Ijumu.
According to reports surrounding the incident, Solomon received medical attention shortly after he collapsed at the venue.
He was later rushed to a hospital in Kabba for further treatment but was reportedly pronounced dead on arrival.
His sudden death has shocked members of the party in the area, particularly because the meeting at which he collapsed was focused on finding solutions to the party’s internal challenges.
The gathering was convened by Funsho Olumoko, a former chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area, as part of attempts to bring different groups within the APC together and resolve disagreements that had reportedly affected relationships among party stakeholders.
The latest reconciliation effort followed an earlier meeting that reportedly failed to produce an agreement over an alleged leadership dispute within the local APC.
The disagreement at the previous session was said to have become intense enough to result in Solomon, some party stakeholders and senior government officials leaving the meeting before the reconciliation process could be concluded.
Friday’s gathering was consequently viewed as another opportunity to reopen discussions and find common ground among the various interests within the party.
Those expected at the meeting reportedly included APC political leaders, local government and ward executives, women and youth leaders, as well as government appointees representing the 15 wards that make up Ijumu Local Government Area.
The objective was to encourage dialogue and prevent existing disagreements from further affecting the cohesion of the party at the grassroots.
Solomon’s death, however, has now overshadowed the reconciliation exercise, with political leaders and party members expressing grief over the loss.
The deceased was reportedly regarded by party supporters as an active grassroots politician who contributed to the development and expansion of the APC in Ijumu and the wider Kogi West political district.
Among those who have expressed condolences is Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
Karimi described Solomon as a loyal member of the party and a politician committed to maintaining peace and building relationships among party members.
The senator said Solomon’s contribution to the party would be remembered, describing him as a bridge builder who remained committed to the ideals of the APC.
“He was a bridge builder, a man of peace, and a grassroots politician who believed in the ideals of the APC,” Karimi said.
He further described Solomon’s commitment and loyalty to the party as exemplary, adding that his death represented a significant loss to his family, Ijumu Local Government Area and the APC in Kogi State.
The lawmaker also commiserated with Solomon’s family and other members of the party who were affected by the development.
Hon. Salman Idris, who represents the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, also joined those mourning the APC chairman.
Idris reportedly acknowledged Solomon’s contributions to the party and his role in grassroots mobilisation within the constituency.
The death has also raised concerns among APC stakeholders because it occurred at a gathering specifically organised to address divisions within the party.
Political activities in Ijumu have continued to attract attention as party leaders seek to strengthen internal cooperation and position their structures for future political engagements.
The reconciliation meeting was expected to help settle outstanding issues and create a more united structure involving party executives, political leaders and government representatives from across the local government.
Instead, the sudden death of the APC chairman has introduced a tragic turn to the proceedings.
Members of the party are now expected to mourn Solomon while continuing to assess how his death could affect the leadership and ongoing reconciliation efforts within the local chapter.
Despite the reports surrounding the incident, the exact cause of Solomon’s death remains unclear.
There has been no independent medical confirmation publicly establishing what caused him to collapse or whether he had any underlying health condition.
Available reports only indicate that he became unwell during the meeting, received initial attention and was later taken to a hospital in Kabba, where he was reportedly confirmed dead on arrival.
Further official clarification may be required to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
For now, the APC in Ijumu faces the difficult task of mourning its chairman while dealing with the internal disagreements that had prompted the reconciliation exercise in the first place.
Solomon’s death is expected to be deeply felt within the party, particularly among members who worked with him at the local government and ward levels.
As condolences continue to come in, attention is likely to shift towards the arrangements for his burial and the next steps for the APC leadership in Ijumu.
The party’s efforts to reconcile its various factions may also take on a new dimension following the unexpected loss of its local government chairman.
Until further official information is released, reports about the precise circumstances of Solomon’s death remain subject to confirmation.
About The Author
