Ondo APC Primary: Violence Breaks Out In Akure South, Okitipupa LGAs

Violence has erupted between supporters of rival aspirants contesting the Ondo State governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday.

LEADERSHIP gathered that violence broke out at Ward 1, Stella Maris College in Okitipupa local government area and Ward 8, Ward 10, and Ward 11 in Akure, the State capital.

It was gathered that supporters of one of the aspirants stormed the wards and disrupted the process.

According to a source, all accredited party members, who had gathered in large numbers to participate in the direct primary election, fled the scene when violence erupted among the rival factions in Okitipupa LGA.

The source said, “I am one of the accredited voters. We were here waiting for the officials of the party to commence the voting process when one of the agents of an aspirant came to the ward, snatched the validation and accreditation papers and ran away.

“They chased him, but could not catch him. This caused the violence.”

He further informed that the security agents at the wards were unable to contain the violence and everyone fled the scene.

Also, in Akure, the state capital, one of the party members, Hon. Yinka Akosile, was attacked and matchetted by suspected political thugs at Ijomu/Obanla ward 4 in Akure South LGA.

It was gathered that the victim was ordered to leave the polling unit before he was attacked by suspected political thugs.

Some of the party members were also beaten, their clothes torn by the thugs in Ward 8, Ward 10, and Ward 11 and in Akure South LGA.