Gunshots, Chaos Rock Ondo APC Senatorial Primary

Chaos erupted on Monday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Ondo Central Senatorial District as suspected thugs 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 around the area to flee for safety while voting was ongoing at the venue, which also serves as the polling unit of incumbent senator, Adeniyi Adegbonmire.

Other aspirants in the contest include former Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Taiwo Fasoranti, and retired military officer and legal practitioner, Olumuyiwa Adu.

Panic reportedly broke out after armed youths stormed the venue and fired gunshots into the air, forcing teachers and parents within the premises of African Church Primary School and St. Peters African Church Primary School to hurriedly 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 election as “a complete charade,” alleging that the violence was deliberately orchestrated to stop his supporters from voting after it became obvious he was leading at the polling unit.

He further alleged that the attackers shot at his vehicle, leaving visible bullet marks on it.

The senator also claimed that similar incidents were recorded in other parts of the senatorial district, alleging that supporters of certain aspirants were openly intimidated and prevented from participating in the exercise.

Adegbonmire called on the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress( APC) to intervene, describing the development as a deliberate attempt to manipulate the outcome of the primary election.

“The same thing happened last week, where voters were intimidated in the House of Reps primaries. Now we are witnessing this again in the Senate. So clearly, it’s a pattern and something has to be done about it,” he said.

Also reacting, Adu dismissed the exercise as a sham, alleging that armed youths openly threatened delegates during the primary.

He, however, said he restrained his supporters from retaliating in order to avoid violence, stressing that no political ambition was worth bloodshed.

Adu warned that recurring violence during APC primaries in Ondo State could deepen internal divisions within the party and negatively affect its future electoral fortunes if not urgently addressed.