Violence Erupts At APC Senatorial Primary Venues In Delta North, South

Violence broke out on Thursday at the senatorial primary election venues of the All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) in Delta North and Delta South, leaving several persons injured and disrupting voting activities across parts of Delta State.

The crisis was reported at Ebe Primary School, Ovrode, in Isoko North Local Government Area, and Idumuje-Uno in Aniocha North Local Government Area, where delegates had gathered for the exercise.

At Idumuje-Uno, a man identified simply as Earnest was stabbed in the back during a violent clash and was said to be battling for his life after being rushed to hospital.

Trouble reportedly began over a struggle for result sheets involving youths in Ward 8 loyal to Earnest and a councillor identified as Anselm.

“The struggle for the result sheet was said to have deteriorated to such a level that argument started and Earnest was stabbed at the back,” an eyewitness said.

The source added that the incident triggered panic among party members who had assembled to vote.

At Ovrode, armed youths reportedly stormed Ebe Primary School, the designated venue, and opened fire, throwing the exercise into chaos.

“Several participants were reportedly injured in the ensuing stampede and gunfire,” witnesses said.

An eyewitness also alleged that Ovie Umuakpo, Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, narrowly escaped a mob attack following the invasion.

The injured were later taken to a nearby government hospital in Ofagbe community.

Recounting the incident, a party member said the violence was linked to tensions around the candidacy of Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas.

He said, “The invasion was against the health commissioner who is working to deliver the incumbent senator, Onowakpo.”

Another eyewitness blamed the crisis on relocation of the venue.

“The grievances, according to the youths, was the relocation of the venue from Ellu to Isoko North council secretariat, Ozoro,” the witness said.

A female witness from Ozoro described the violence as a supremacy battle between political actors.

She said the crisis involved the State Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, and Governor Oborevwori’s aide, Ovie Umuakpo.

According to an insider,
“As we all gathered waiting for the commencement of the primaries, all we saw was armed youths invading Ebe Primary School, Ovrode, the venue of the primaries.

“They started shooting, and some youths resisted the armed youths, leading to some youths being injured. As this was going on, everybody started running for their lives.”

The source further stated,
“The way and the manner the armed youths invaded the venue was unexpected and the community youths there stood their ground and resisted the invasion.

“Some of the armed youths were badly injured while some of the community youths were also injured and were taken to the hospital. After the invasion, the venue was relocated to the Isoko North council secretariat, Ozoro.”

Reacting to the allegations, Ovie Umuakpo denied involvement in any armed invasion.

“I didn’t invade Ovrode. I discovered that the venue of the primary was relocated by the commissioner against the designated venue for the primary. I went to Ovrode to find out from the commissioner why the venue was relocated from Ellu against the designated venue by the party.

“On stepping down, we were attacked by boys on the ground. My boys were seriously injured so also their boys too. I didn’t go there to fight anybody,” he said.

Attempts to reach the Health Commissioner for comment were unsuccessful as efforts to restore calm continued across affected communities.

Despite the violence, voting was concluded in several wards and local government areas in the senatorial districts, with results being collated at the centre in Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area.

As of the time of filing this report, normalcy had reportedly returned to the affected venues, although tensions remained high across parts of the district.