APC House of Reps primary turns violent in Ekiti, ends inconclusive
By Boye Oyeyemi
Violence disrupted the All Progressives Congress House of Representatives primary election for Ward 10 at Fajuyi Pavilion in Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Saturday, forcing officials to suspend the exercise.
The primary contest, which involved Olushola Fatoba and Tope Ogunleye, popularly known as RST, descended into chaos after clashes erupted among supporters of both aspirants.
Party members and agents had gathered at the venue ahead of the commencement of voting, but tension reportedly heightened following the arrival of suspected political thugs.
Eyewitnesses alleged that some armed men believed to be loyal to Fatoba stormed the pavilion with canes and firearms in an attempt to intimidate supporters of Ogunleye.
“People started running when the thugs arrived because many of them were carrying weapons and threatening party members,” a source at the venue said.
Despite the tension, voting later commenced under tight security, with observers claiming Ogunleye appeared to enjoy wider support among delegates present at the venue.
Trouble, however, broke out shortly after voting began, as supporters of both camps engaged in violent clashes that forced electoral officials to abruptly halt the process and declare the primary inconclusive.
During the unrest, an agent identified simply as Sunday was allegedly assaulted, while another supporter, Femi Ogunleye, and a female party member, Oluwaseun Osamuwa, reportedly sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital.
