By Paul Joseph
Tension and confusion engulfed the Ondo State Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure on Sunday evening after suspected political thugs reportedly disrupted the official declaration of remaining House of Representatives primary election results across six federal constituencies in the state.
The dramatic incident forced members of the APC National Assembly Election Committee, journalists, and party officials to flee the venue for safety as the atmosphere turned violent and uncontrollable.
The chaos ensued following growing uncertainty surrounding the delayed announcement of results from six federal constituencies, after the party had earlier declared winners in only three constituencies.
Among those previously announced by the committee were Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji, who emerged victorious in the Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency primary with 9,237 votes; Dr. Olumuyiwa Daramola, who secured the Okitipupa/Irele ticket with 6,547 votes; and the incumbent lawmaker representing Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency, Dr. Abiola Makinde, who reportedly polled 10,847 votes to clinch victory.
However, results from Akoko Northeast/Northwest, Akoko Southwest/Southeast, Owo/Ose, Idanre/Ifedore, Ilaje/Ese-Odo, and Odigbo/Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo federal constituencies remained officially undeclared, fuelling anxiety among party loyalists and aspirants.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Chairman of the National Assembly Election Committee, Hon. Iboroma Harry Dabibi, along with committee members, arrived at the APC Secretariat around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday to continue the announcement process.
Trouble reportedly began when a disqualified aspirant from the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency allegedly stormed the venue with a group of suspected thugs, attempting to halt the declaration exercise.
According to sources at the scene, the aspirant handed his phone to the APC State Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, asking him to speak with an influential female commissioner in the state. The caller allegedly instructed the party leadership to suspend any further announcement of results pending the resolution of disputes involving some aspirants in the Owo/Ose and Idanre/Ifedore constituencies.
Moments after the phone conversation, the atmosphere reportedly became tense and chaotic as the suspected thugs began causing disruptions inside the conference hall, despite the presence of security operatives stationed around the secretariat.
Journalists and party officials were said to have scrambled for safety as the hoodlums chased people out of the venue, creating fears of possible attacks.
Members of the election committee were reportedly heard lamenting over threats to their safety, insisting they could not continue the exercise under such dangerous conditions.
The committee members subsequently abandoned the venue and returned to their hotel rooms without concluding the announcement process.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC had yet to officially release the outstanding results from the six affected federal constituencies, deepening political tension within the ruling party in Ondo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This latest development has also triggered fresh concerns over internal divisions within the party and the growing influence of political intimidation during party primary elections.
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