Violence broke out at the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary in Akure, Ondo State, on Monday after suspected thugs invaded the venue and disrupted the exercise.
The incident occurred at Ebenezer Primary School in Okilisa Ward 5, Akure South Local Government Area, where Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire, representing Ondo Central Senatorial District and an aspirant in the race, was voting.
The attackers reportedly stormed the venue, firing shots into the air and forcing party members who were on queue to flee for safety, with several people injured in the ensuing stampede.
The senator was hurriedly evacuated by his supporters as the chaos escalated, while his vehicle was reportedly struck by bullets during the attack.
Speaking after the incident, Senator Adegbomire condemned the violence, alleging that the disruption was politically motivated.
He said, “This is a complete charade. I went to my ward today, which is the APC senate primary. I was there, and while we were there, they told everybody to line up, and they started counting. They counted my supporters who were voting for me. It was about 360 something.
“When it was glaring to them that I think it got about a hundred and something, thugs came and invaded the place. Shot in the air, shot at my car. I can show you the bullet mark. They started trying to market people. Beating people up. They disrupted the entire process. Now, that is not even bad enough. I am getting reports from all over the senatorial district that the same thing is happening, that they are not allowing my supporters to even get onto the field.”
The report also noted that similar disruptions were recorded during the party’s national assembly primary held at the APC secretariat in Akure on Sunday, where thugs allegedly stormed the venue and briefly halted proceedings before order was restored.
