Political thugs allegedly sponsored by a disqualified All Progressives Congress House of Representatives candidate disrupted the collation and declaration of results from last Saturday’s primaries at the party’s state office in Akure.
The incident compelled security forces to evacuate the seven-member National Assembly Primary Election Committee, led by Hon. Iboroma Harry Dabibi, from the secretariat.
Kolawole Babatunde, chairman of the Ondo APC, and other party officials, electoral officers, delegates, and supporters left by the back door.
According to eyewitnesses, the thugs rushed the secretariat and ordered the committee chairman to halt the prize announcements.
“It was a disqualified aspirant who mobilized thugs to the venue, and the atmosphere became tense,” one source said.
“People were leaving because nobody wanted the situation to get out of hand.
The confusion started after a committee member received a phone call instructing that proceedings be stopped.
“I was live on Facebook when the announcement started.
“They were about to call a federal constituency result when someone on the phone said the process should be stopped.
“We all thought it was the governor but later realized it was allegedly coming from someone else in the state government.”
Yahaya Bello wins APC Kogi central senate primary
Akpabio emerges APC senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom north west
According to the informant, the thugs approached the committee and positioned themselves to sow disturbance.
“They had mobilized boys from different wards. They were shouting and threatening to disrupt everything. It became unsafe for many people to remain there.”
Meanwhile, the Ondo APC has established a primary appeal committee to hear appeals from dissatisfied aspirants.
According to a statement from state secretary Alex Kalejaye, the committee will begin meeting at the party secretariat today.
“The APC in Ondo State wishes to inform House of Representatives aspirants who are displeased with the primary process that the Primary Appeal Committee will be ready to entertain complaints today at the State Secretariat.”
The APC noted that the panel was established in the spirit of fairness and justice and would continue sitting until all grievances were addressed.
