Suspected political thugs linked to a disqualified All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the House of Representatives disrupted the collation and announcement of results from last Saturday’s primary elections at the party’s Ondo State secretariat in Akure, forcing security operatives to evacuate key officials for safety. The incident occurred during the ongoing primary election process, which was being overseen by a seven-member National Assembly Primary Election Committee led by Hon. Iboroma Harry Dabibi. Tensions escalated rapidly, prompting the committee and other party officials, including Ondo State APC Chairman Kolawole Babatunde, to exit the venue through the back entrance to avoid potential violence.
Eyewitnesses reported that the suspected thugs stormed the secretariat before the official collation began and positioned themselves strategically around the building. They allegedly demanded that the committee chairman halt the announcement of results, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. One source at the scene stated, “It was a disqualified aspirant who allegedly mobilised the thugs to the venue, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.” Many attendees, including party executives, electoral officials, delegates, and supporters, quickly left the premises as the situation deteriorated.
The disruption intensified when a committee member reportedly received a phone call instructing that the announcement be stopped. “I was streaming the event live on Facebook when the announcement began. They were about to announce the result for one of the federal constituencies when someone on the phone instructed that the process should be halted,” said an eyewitness. Initially, many believed the directive came from the state governor, but later reports suggested it originated from another influential figure within the state government. This added to the confusion and raised concerns about interference in the electoral process.
Sources revealed that the suspected thugs had arrived early and mobilised youths from various wards to create chaos. “They were shouting and threatening to disrupt the entire process. At some point, the environment became unsafe for many people,” another witness alleged. The presence of these individuals, combined with the sudden halt in proceedings, cast doubt on the integrity and transparency of the primary election in Ondo State.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC leadership in Ondo State had not issued an official statement on the incident. The disruption has sparked widespread concern among party members and political observers, who are calling for a thorough investigation into the events. The incident underscores the challenges facing Nigeria’s political parties as they navigate internal contests amid rising insecurity and electoral interference. The outcome of the primary and the party’s response to the disruption will likely influence the broader political landscape in Ondo State ahead of the general elections.
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