Gunmen disrupt APC senate primary in Ondo

By Boye Oyeyemi

Panic erupted in parts of Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Sunday after suspected political thugs disrupted the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary in Ward 5, Oke-Lisa/Amudipe, Akure South Local Government Area.

The disruption reportedly triggered sporadic gunshots around the voting venue, forcing residents and party members to flee for safety during the exercise.

The incident also caused fear in nearby schools, including Ebenezer Primary School and St. Peter A/C Primary School, Amudipe, as parents rushed to pick up their children following the shooting.

A serving senator, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, was said to have narrowly escaped the chaos after gunmen allegedly opened fire near his vehicle at the venue.

Speaking with journalists after the incident, Adegbonmire described the primary election as a “charade,” alleging that the process was disrupted when it became obvious he was leading in the voting.

According to him, officials had started counting supporters behind each aspirant, adding that his camp recorded over 300 supporters before armed thugs stormed the venue and fired shots into the air.

The senator also claimed that his vehicle was hit by bullets during the attack, noting that the assailants disrupted the exercise shortly after the counting process began.

However, another APC senatorial aspirant, Taiwo Fasoranti, who monitored the exercise at Ward 7, Ijomu area of Akure, reportedly described the primary process in his area as peaceful.