Violence Disrupts APC Primaries in Akure
On Monday, chaos erupted at the Ebenezer African Church Primary School in Akure when gunfire disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the Ondo Central Senatorial District, forcing party members, journalists, and local residents to seek safety. The disruption raised significant concerns regarding the electoral process in the region.
Incumbent Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmayor is competing to retain his seat, facing challengers including Taiwo Fasoranti, reportedly the consensus candidate backed by Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, and Olumuyiwa Adu, a retired military officer and lawyer. The incident marks a troubling development in what is meant to be a democratic process.
Tensions escalated when a group of young individuals, believed to be thugs, stormed the venue during the voting. The primary election was being conducted across two locations: the African Church Primary School and St. Peter’s African Church Primary School, leading to widespread panic as teachers and parents rushed to evacuate students amidst the turmoil.
As gunshots pierced the air, many journalists and party members attempted to escape by climbing fences and finding cover. The violence forced an immediate halt to the voting process, raising alarm among those present.
Senator Adegbonmayor condemned the violence, labeling the electoral process a “complete travesty.” He alleged that the mayhem was purposefully orchestrated to disrupt his supporters’ voting efforts, especially as it became clear that he was gaining a lead at the polling stations. He recounted how thugs entered the premises, firing into the air and even at his vehicle.
The senator also reported similar disturbances across the district, claiming his supporters faced intimidation and were obstructed from reaching polling stations. He stated, “People are openly told that if they don’t vote for a particular candidate, they should go home.” He called for the national party leadership to intervene, deeming the situation detrimental to the democratic process.
Adegbonmayor communicated the situation to Governor Ayedatiwa, noting that the governor had not intended to involve himself directly, despite some perpetrators allegedly invoking his name during the attack. “What is happening now is unacceptable and poses a danger to our democracy,” he remarked.
Challenger Olumuyiwa Adu also voiced his concerns, asserting that armed youths perpetrated widespread intimidation. He characterized the primary as a farce, claiming it effectively ensured that only supporters of the favored candidate could participate. “What transpired was a coordinated effort to deny real party members their voting rights,” Adu stated.
Adu emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, noting his decision to restrain his supporters in light of the violence. “We will not retaliate; no political ambition is worth bloodshed,” he stated, advocating for leaders to exercise restraint to avoid chaos in Ondo over the primaries. He cautioned that if the APC did not address the ongoing violence, it could deepen internal divisions and jeopardize the party’s future electoral prospects.
Conversely, Taiwo Fasoranti rejected the claims of misconduct, asserting that the primaries had been conducted in a fair and transparent manner. He remains confident of his chances, expressing optimism that he will triumph when the official results are announced.
