The Ondo State Government has ordered the temporary closure of selected public primary and secondary schools across the state over the All Progressives Congress(APC) State House of Assembly primary scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The closure order is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
Thefrontrank reports that the APC National Assembly primaries held in Ondo witnessed evasion of venues and collation centres by armed political thugs leading to many party members sustaining injuries from the attacks.
Announcing the closure, the state government explained that the affected schools would serve as designated polling centres for the election taking place in the 18 local government areas.
The government directed the affected students, teachers and other staff members to stay at home on election day as part of measures to ensure safety of lives and property.
Although, the government did not mention the affected schools, but said the concerned heads would be contacted directly to ensure strict compliance with the directive.
The government directed officials of the Zonal and Area Education Offices to monitor and ensure enforcement of the order in the affected schools.
It noted that adequate arrangements had been put in place to ensure that the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC-SSCE) is not disrupted in the affected schools.
The government promised that necessary measures would be taken to safeguard students in boarding facilities.
School administrators were directed to allow the ruling party election officials access to school premises and other necessary facilities required for the smooth conduct of the primary.
The government emphasised that the closure applies only to schools designated as polling centres for the APC primary.
It stated that schools not affected by the electoral arrangement should continue normal academic activities without interruption.
The state government stated that academic activities in the affected schools would resume on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
