The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Ondo Central turned violent on Monday after armed youths allegedly stormed one of the polling venues and disrupted the exercise, causing widespread panic among delegates, journalists, teachers, and school pupils.

The incident occurred at Ebenezer African Church Primary School, one of the designated venues for the election of the party’s candidate for the senatorial district. The school also serves as the polling unit of the incumbent senator, Adeniyi Adegbomire.

Eyewitness accounts said the armed youths fired gunshots into the air repeatedly while the voting process was ongoing, forcing people at the venue to scamper for safety. Pupils in the school were hurriedly evacuated as parents rushed in to pick up their children amid fears of possible harm.

Some individuals were also seen scaling fences to escape the chaos as the situation escalated.

A former Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Taiwo Fasoranti, retired military officer and lawyer Olumuyiwa Adu, and Senator Adegbomire are among those contesting the party’s ticket.

Adegbomire alleged that the exercise was deliberately disrupted to prevent his supporters from voting, describing the process as a “complete charade.” He claimed the attackers targeted his vehicle, leaving visible bullet marks.

He further stated that similar incidents had been recorded in other voting units across the senatorial district, alleging a pattern of intimidation during the primaries.

According to him, the violence was linked to attempts to suppress voters who were believed to be supporting him.

Olumuyiwa Adu also condemned the exercise, describing it as compromised by armed intimidation. He said he restrained his supporters from retaliating in order to avoid further violence.

Adu added that no political ambition was worth the loss of lives and warned that repeated violence during party primaries could deepen internal divisions within the APC in the state.

Although party officials denied any major crisis, they reportedly acknowledged that a violent disruption occurred during the House of Representatives primaries in Akure when pressed by journalists.

Meanwhile, indications suggest that the senatorial primary results may be collated and announced in Abuja in line with directives from the party leadership, while a formal response from the APC was still being awaited at the time of filing this report.