The announcement of results from the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries in Ondo State was on Sunday night disrupted after some youths suspected to be political thugs stormed the party secretariat in Akure.
The primaries were conducted on Saturday across the 203 wards in the state’s nine federal constituencies, in compliance with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Before the disruption, the APC primary election committee had officially announced results from only three constituencies.
According to results earlier declared by the committee, Mrs. Omowunmi Olatunji won the Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency primary with 9,237 votes, while Olumuyiwa Daramola emerged victorious in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency with 6,547 votes, defeating incumbent lawmaker Jimi Odimayo, who polled 827 votes, and Dele Omosehin, who secured 623 votes.
Also announced was the victory of the incumbent lawmaker representing Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency, Abiola Makinde, who secured 10,847 votes.
Sources said the electoral committee, led by Mr. Iboroma Harry Dabibi, had arrived at the APC secretariat in Akure to announce the remaining results when the suspected thugs allegedly invaded the venue, disrupting the exercise.
The incident reportedly caused panic among party members, journalists, and party officials present at the secretariat, forcing many to scamper for safety.
An eyewitness described the scene as chaotic, saying the youths stormed the venue despite the presence of security operatives.
“When the venue became rowdy, the committee chairman, members, journalists, and other party officials hurried out of the secretariat as the suspected thugs entered and began shouting despite the presence of security men.
“The committee members lamented that they could not continue the announcement at the risk of their lives and immediately suspended the exercise,” the source said.
The eyewitness added that committee members and party officials later reconvened after calm was restored.
Upon reconvening, Dabibi announced additional results, including the landslide victory of Ifeoluwa Ehindero in Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency with 22,304 votes, defeating Ibrahim Moruf Tosin, who scored 330 votes, and Oseni Oyeniyi, who polled 118 votes.
The primaries, however, witnessed dramatic twists in some constituencies after the committee invalidated votes scored by aspirants who failed to secure clearance from the party’s screening committee.
In Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency, Dr. Olusegun Victor Ategbole polled 12,011 votes but was disqualified, leading to the declaration of Hon. Adefarati Gboyega, who scored 1,865 valid votes, as winner.
A similar scenario played out in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, where Hon. Ayodeji Arowele Samuel’s 9,690 votes were invalidated for failing to obtain clearance, paving the way for Engr. Kayode Ijalana, who polled 7,098 valid votes, to emerge winner.
In Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Hon. Adefisoye Tajudeen Adeyemi’s 5,463 votes were also declared invalid, allowing Rasaq Obe, who secured 4,988 valid votes, to clinch victory.
Other candidates produced through the exercise included Hon. Matthew Oyerimade, who won the Odigbo/Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Federal Constituency primary with 12,744 votes, and Akingboye Akinleke David, who clinched the Ilaje/Ese-Odo ticket with 9,284 votes, defeating incumbent lawmaker Donald Ojogo.
Dabibi commended party leaders, stakeholders, and members for maintaining relative peace throughout the exercise, noting that the conduct of the primaries reflected the APC’s commitment to internal democracy despite the disruption.
Fidelis David
Follow us on:
