Tragedy struck the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State following the sudden death of the party chairman in Ijumu Local Government Area, Oyewole Mayowa Solomon.

Solomon reportedly slumped and died on Friday during a peace and reconciliation meeting held at the Iyara Town Hall, the administrative headquarters of Ijumu LGA.

The cause of his death had yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

Sources at the meeting said the session was underway when Solomon suddenly collapsed, causing confusion among political leaders and delegates in attendance.

Efforts were immediately made to administer first aid and rush him to a medical facility in neighbouring Kabba, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The meeting was convened by Funsho Olumoko, a former chairman of Ijumu LGA, who was recently tasked by the Ijumu Consultative Forum with harmonising political interests in the area.

The session was aimed at reconciling factions, resolving internal disputes and promoting unity among party 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, the earlier meeting was reportedly marked by disagreements over local government leadership, leading to a walkout by Solomon and several top government functionaries.

Friday’s follow-up meeting was intended to bridge the divisions. It brought together selected political leaders, local government and ward executives, women and youth leaders as well as government appointees representing all 15 wards in Ijumu LGA.

Solomon’s sudden death has cast uncertainty over ongoing efforts to unify the party’s ranks in Kogi West ahead of the 2027 general elections.

No formal statement had been issued by the APC state executive or local authorities regarding the incident at the time of filing this report.