Femi Fanwo, an All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives aspirant in Yagba constituency, Kogi State, employed thugs to detain and assault Folorunsho Olafemi, his opponent and winner of the primary election held on Friday, sources told FIJ.

Fanwo, a former Commissioner for Information and Communication in the state, polled 72 votes, four behind Olafemi, who was announced the party’s candidate for House of Representatives in the constituency.

FIJ learned that Fanwo reacted angrily, declared some of Olafemi’s votes void and afterwards, invited soldiers to disrupt proceedings.

Sources said after soldiers refused to do Fanwo’s bidding, he resorted to hiring thugs to detain and threaten Olafemi.

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“Yesterday, we were called to chase away the guy who won,” a soldier told FIJ on condition of anonymity. “Fanwo called us to come and scatter and disrupt everywhere.

“We stood still and refused. Later, the guy came with thugs to hurt people. They used broken bottles and various weapons. Using the name of the governor, he performed barbaric activities. He held the real winner hostage for two hours.

“We were there for parameter security, and if I was a policeman, I would have arrested him.”

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Another source, who also asked not to be named, told FIJ that the thugs damaged the gates leading to the local government premises, making people run for safety.

When FIJ contacted Olafemi, Emmanuel Ayo, his chief strategist, confirmed the incident.

“We were at the venue when Fanwo declared himself winner. When this happened, the youths tried to block his exit from the venue, but Fanwo’s guys started shooting,” said Ayo.

He said it was true that Fanwo invited thugs and detained Olafemi, but he finally conceded defeat on Saturday night and congratulated Olafemi.

FIJ made several phone calls to Fanwo but they were not answered. He had also not responded to a text message sent to him at press time.