Chaos erupted on Monday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Ondo central senatorial district after suspected thugs allegedly disrupted the exercise with sporadic gunshots at Ward 5, Ebenezer African Church Primary School, Amudipe Street, Akure.
The incident forced party members, journalists, and residents to flee for safety as voting was ongoing at the venue, which also serves as the polling unit of Adeniyi Adegbonmire, the incumbent senator.
Other aspirants in the contest include former secretary to the Ondo state government, Taiwo Fasoranti, and Olumuyiwa Adu, a retired military officer and legal practitioner.
Panic reportedly started when armed youths stormed the venue and fired shots into the air, causing teachers and parents within nearby African Church Primary School and St. Peters African church primary school to quickly evacuate pupils.
Journalists and party supporters were also seen scaling fences and running for cover as the exercise was abruptly disrupted.
Reacting to the incident, Senator Adegbonmire described the primary as “a complete charade,” alleging that the violence was deliberately staged to suppress his supporters after he was leading at the polling unit.
He also claimed that attackers shot at his vehicle, leaving visible bullet marks.
The senator further alleged that similar disruptions occurred in other parts of the senatorial district, accusing supporters of rival aspirants of intimidation.
He called on the national leadership of the APC to urgently intervene, saying the situation reflected a growing pattern of violence in party primaries.
Olumuyiwa Adu, another aspirant also condemned the exercise, describing it as a sham and alleging that armed youths threatened delegates during voting.
Adu warned that repeated violence during APC primaries in Ondo State could deepen internal divisions within the party if not addressed.
