Gunshots disrupted the senatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo Central Senatorial District on Monday following the invasion of some voting centres by suspected political thugs.
The incident occurred in parts of Ondo State, particularly at Ward 5, Okelisa, Amudipe Street, Akure, where hoodlums reportedly attacked supporters of Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire.
Adegbomire, who is seeking the APC senatorial ticket, reportedly escaped unhurt after his vehicle came under gun attack during the chaos.
The suspected thugs were alleged to be loyal to one of the aspirants participating in the primary election.
Witnesses said the assailants fired several gunshots into the air and also shot at the senator’s vehicle before security operatives hurriedly evacuated him from the scene.
The development caused panic in the area as journalists covering the exercise, traders, and pupils of Ebenezer Primary School fled for safety.
The attackers were also said to have wielded machetes while assaulting voters and disrupting the counting process at the ward.
Speaking with journalists after the incident, Adegbomire alleged that the primary election was deliberately sabotaged.
The senator claimed the exercise appeared to be favouring him before the disruption occurred, alleging that thugs were deployed to prevent his supporters from participating in the process.
According to him, voting had commenced at his ward with supporters lining up behind their preferred aspirants before the violence erupted.
He explained that while the counting process was ongoing, the attackers stormed the venue, fired gunshots, attacked people with machetes, and disrupted the exercise.
Adegbomire further alleged that similar incidents were recorded in other parts of the senatorial district, claiming that some voters believed to be supporting him were prevented from accessing polling venues.
He also accused the perpetrators of using intimidation and violence to influence the outcome of the exercise.