Gunshots Disrupt APC Senatorial Primaries in Ondo Central as Thugs Attack Venue, Candidate’s Vehicle Damaged

Chaos erupted in Akure on Monday as violent attacks disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries in Ondo Central, with suspected political thugs opening fire, assaulting voters, and forcing officials to suspend counting in parts of the exercise.

The violence broke out at Ward 5, Okelisa, Amudipe Street, where armed men reportedly stormed the venue during the voting process. Gunshots rang out, sending journalists, traders, and school pupils nearby into panic as they fled for safety.

A serving senator contesting for re-election, Adeniyi Adegbomire, narrowly escaped the attack after his vehicle came under fire during the invasion. His security escorts whisked him away from the scene as the situation deteriorated rapidly.

Eyewitness accounts and party members alleged that the attackers were loyal to a rival aspirant. They were said to have arrived in large numbers, firing into the air and wielding machetes to disperse voters and disrupt the counting process.

The violence also reportedly extended beyond the initial ward, with claims that similar disturbances occurred across other locations within the senatorial district, raising concerns about coordinated interference in the primaries.

Adegbomire described the process as compromised, alleging that counting had initially shown him in a strong position before the disruption. He further claimed that his supporters were blocked from accessing voting areas in multiple wards.

He alleged that the attackers deliberately targeted his camp, adding that intimidation tactics were used to suppress participation and alter the outcome of the exercise.

Journalists covering the election were forced to abandon their positions as gunfire echoed through the area. Traders and pupils in nearby schools also ran for cover amid fears of stray bullets.

Security personnel later moved in to restore calm, though the extent of arrests or casualties had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.

The APC leadership in the state is yet to issue a formal statement on the incident, while tensions remain high across affected communities as stakeholders await clarification on the fate of the disrupted primaries.