Gunfire Disrupts APC Senatorial Primaries in Akure as Violence Erupts in Ondo Central

Tension flared on Monday in parts of Ondo Central Senatorial District as suspected political thugs disrupted the senatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, forcing voters, journalists, and school pupils to flee for safety.

The incident occurred at Ward 5, Okelisa area along Amudipe Street in Akure, where armed individuals reportedly stormed the voting venue, firing shots and attacking participants with machetes.

The violence allegedly targeted supporters of Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire, who is also contesting the party’s ticket for the senatorial district. His vehicle was reportedly hit by gunfire during the chaos, though he escaped unharmed with the help of security personnel.

Eyewitness accounts and statements from the senator suggest that the attack disrupted an ongoing counting process at the ward level. Voting lines had reportedly been formed and counting had commenced before the disruption.

Adegbomire alleged that the process was already showing a lead in his favour before the invasion occurred. He further claimed that armed groups moved across different parts of the senatorial district, intimidating voters and preventing perceived opponents’ supporters from participating in the exercise.

According to him, the attackers created panic by firing into the air, assaulting individuals at the venue, and halting the electoral process entirely.

Journalists covering the primaries, alongside traders and pupils of a nearby primary school, were also forced to evacuate the area as the situation escalated.

At the time of filing this report, there had been no official statement from the party leadership regarding the incident or reported allegations of coordinated disruption across the district.