Ondo: APC supporters Clash Over replacement of candidates
The last is yet to be heard of the crisis rocking All Progressives Congress (APC) over the replacement of some candidates who won the primaries for the 2027 elections. Daily Trust reports that about six senatorial candidates and 19 House of Representatives ticket winners were replaced by the leadership of the party. In Ondo, one […]
The last is yet to be heard of the crisis rocking All Progressives Congress (APC) over the replacement of some candidates who won the primaries for the 2027 elections.
Daily Trust reports that about six senatorial candidates and 19 House of Representatives ticket winners were replaced by the leadership of the party.
In Ondo, one of the states badly affected by the development, supporters confronted one another over the selection of the party’s Ondo North Senatorial candidate, on Saturday.
Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye who was initially declared winner of the primaries in Ondo North, was replaced with Senator Olajide Ipinsagba.
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To protest the development, supporters of one of the politicians demonstrated against the outcome of the party’s senatorial candidate selection process.
However, the situation escalated when another faction arrived at the scene, leading to heightened tension.
Eyewitnesses said the situation degenerated into violence as supporters from both camps hurled bottles and brandished sticks, creating panic among residents and road users.
Security operatives swiftly intervened to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Police officers deployed lawful crowd-control measures, including the use of tear gas, to disperse the violent crowd and restore normalcy.
Following the intervention, the protesters dispersed, while security personnel maintained a presence in the area to forestall any further violence.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the Command acted promptly to prevent the situation from escalating.
According to him, the disturbance resulted from a confrontation between two APC factions over the party’s Ondo North Senatorial candidate selection.
He said despite repeated appeals by the Police for restraint and peaceful dialogue, both groups became violent, forcing officers to deploy tear gas as part of lawful crowd-control measures.
DSP Abayomi added that calm had since been restored, with security personnel monitoring the area to ensure sustained peace.
The Police spokesman reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, provided such rights are exercised within the law.
He urged political stakeholders and their supporters to embrace peaceful means of resolving grievances and cooperate with security agencies in maintaining peace across the state.