There is palpable fear among residents of Ondo State due to the influx of suspected thugs, hoodlums, and violent groups into several communities ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries.
Thefrontrank reports that the APC has scheduled its House of Representatives primary for Friday, May 15, while the Senate will hold on Monday, May 18 and State House of Assembly is set for Wednesday, May 20.
Tensions heightened following reports of a rift between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and some National Assembly members over consensus arrangements and plans to deny them return tickets.
Sources within APC disclosed that the crisis deepened after the national leadership reportedly rejected Aiyedatiwa’s consensus list, insisting on direct primaries, a mode the governor was against.
Investigations revealed these political thugs were noticeable in Akure, Owo, Idanre, Ile-Oluji, Irele, Okitipupa, Ondo town, Odigbo, Akure North and Akoko.
Residents of these areas said they had noticed strange faces in their communities and feared a repeat of the violence attacks during the party’s recent congresses in Idanre, Akure, Owo and other areas.
“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 primaries,” said a resident of Ode-Irele.
On Wednesday the Police arrested 24 suspected cultists during an initiation ceremony in Ile-Oluji.
In Owo, a resident alleged that some councillors had been threatening party members who do not support the governor’s preferred candidates since returning from a meeting with Aiyedatiwa in Akure on Monday.
“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,” he said.
To nip it in the bud, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, said surveillance teams, patrol units, and tactical operatives have been deployed to vulnerable areas.
He warned against political violence, thuggery, voter intimidation, cult-related disturbances, or any act that could undermine public peace.
Lawal urged political stakeholders and residents to act peacefully and provide timely information to aid security operations.
