Ondo APC primary violence erupts in Akure as armed thugs disrupt voting, forcing panic and raising allegations of political intimidation
Political thugs on Monday disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary in Akure, the Ondo State capital, causing panic and forcing voters to flee the venue.
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The violence erupted at Ebenezer Primary School in Okilisa Ward 5, Akure South Local Government Area, where armed men reportedly stormed the polling area and fired shots into the air.
Eyewitnesses said party members ran for safety as the situation escalated, with several people sustaining injuries during a stampede that followed the attack.
The senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Adeniyi Adegbomire, who was also an aspirant in the primary, was reportedly whisked away by supporters as the chaos unfolded.
His vehicle was allegedly hit by bullets during the attack, prompting further tension within the area as voting was abruptly disrupted.
Speaking after the incident, Adegbomire described the exercise as a “complete charade” and alleged that the disruption was politically motivated.
He claimed that counting had begun peacefully before the arrival of armed thugs who allegedly targeted his supporters and disrupted the process.
The senator further alleged that similar incidents were being reported across parts of the senatorial district, affecting his supporters’ participation in the exercise.
Reports also indicated that a separate APC National Assembly primary held on Sunday at the party secretariat in Akure was earlier disrupted by suspected thugs, forcing officials and journalists to flee temporarily.
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The recurring disruptions have raised fresh concerns about internal party security and the conduct of primary elections in the state.
