Uneasy calm has enveloped some communities in Ondo State following the alleged influx of suspected political thugs ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries scheduled to begin this week.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the development has heightened fears of a repeat of the violence that disrupted the party’s recent congresses in the state.
The APC has fixed its House of Representatives primary for Thursday, while the Senate and House of Assembly primaries are scheduled for May 18 and 20, respectively.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and some National Assembly members from the state are reportedly at loggerheads over alleged moves to deny some aspirants return tickets.
Party sources who spoke with The Guardian said the crisis deepened after the APC national leadership rejected a consensus list allegedly backed by the governor and insisted on direct primaries.
The governor was said to oppose the direct primary option.
Residents Fear Violence
Residents in Owo, Akure, Idanre, Irele, Okitipupa and Akoko South-West Local Government Areas expressed concern over the reported movement of unfamiliar persons into their communities ahead of the primaries.
A resident of Irele urged security agencies to intensify surveillance.
“We are afraid and calling on security agencies to be proactive. What we are hearing is frightening. We hope politicians will not turn our state into a war zone because of party tickets,” the resident said.
Another resident in Owo alleged that some councillors had warned party members opposed to the governor’s preferred candidates to stay away from the primaries.
“Since their return from a meeting with the governor in Akure on Monday, some councillors have allegedly been warning that supporters of certain National Assembly members or other aspirants should stay away on the day of the primaries.
“We all witnessed the violence during the congresses. We do not want a repeat, which is why we are appealing to security agencies to protect lives and property,” the resident added.
Govt Urges Peace, Police Deploy
The Ondo State Government called on APC members to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly during the primaries.
It urged aspirants, party leaders and supporters to ensure the exercise remained hitch-free, transparent and devoid of violence before, during and after the polls.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command said it had intensified security measures across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, on Tuesday led a show-of-force exercise to the Idanre and Owo Local Government Areas, alongside senior officers, tactical commanders, and other security personnel.
The police said conventional operatives, tactical teams, mobile police personnel, intelligence units and other operational assets had been deployed to maintain law and order.