Violence broke out on Monday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries in Ondo Central Senatorial District, Ondo State, as suspected political thugs reportedly invaded several voting centres and disrupted the exercise.
The chaos was particularly intense at Ward 5, Okelisa area of Akure South Local Government, where supporters of Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire were allegedly attacked by armed hoodlums believed to be loyal to a rival aspirant.
Adegbomire, who is seeking the APC senatorial ticket, narrowly escaped harm after gunmen reportedly opened fire at the venue and shot at his vehicle. Security operatives attached to the senator quickly whisked him away from the scene.
Witnesses said the assailants fired sporadically into the air, causing panic among party members, journalists covering the primaries, traders, and pupils of Ebenezer Primary School located near the venue. Many residents and voters were forced to flee for safety.
The attackers were also said to have wielded machetes while disrupting the counting process and assaulting some voters at the ward.
Speaking after the incident, Adegbomire described the primary election as a “charade,” alleging that the process was deliberately sabotaged to prevent his supporters from participating.
According to him, the exercise had initially appeared to favour his candidacy before the disruption occurred.
“It’s a complete charade,” the senator told journalists. “They started counting supporters from different camps, and when it became obvious that I was leading, thugs invaded the venue, shot into the air, attacked my vehicle, and assaulted people with machetes.”
Adegbomire further claimed that reports from other wards across the senatorial district indicated similar incidents of intimidation and voter suppression targeted at his supporters.
He alleged that some party members were prevented from accessing voting centres unless they agreed to support another aspirant, Taiwo Fasoranti.
The APC leadership in Ondo State had yet to officially comment on the violence as of the time of filing this report.