A fresh controversy has engulfed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial primaries in Ondo State, with senatorial aspirant Olumuyiwa Adu alleging widespread intimidation, mass political violence, and the forcible imposition of preferred candidates by state party leadership.
Speaking immediately after the exercise, Adu insisted that the primaries did not reflect a genuine democratic contest, alleging that armed young men were openly brandishing weapons at voting centres and threatening party members over who was allowed to secure votes.
He claimed the pattern of violence was not new, stating that similar incidents were recorded during an earlier APC exercise held only days before.
“A lot of primary elections have been going on in Ondo State. We had one a few days ago, and we witnessed young men brandishing guns and threatening everyone that among the three of us contesting, there was only one person they wanted anyone to vote for,” Adu alleged.
According to him, what played out during the exercise left him with no doubt that the event could not be treated as a legitimate internal party election.
“It was so obvious that I concluded there was no primary election, and today again, we saw the same thing,” he said.
Allegations Point to Governor Aiyedatiwa’s “Consensus” Moves
Adu further accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of directing violence and limiting participation at polling areas. He alleged that the gun-bearing individuals claimed they were acting on the governor’s instructions, including barring supporters of aspirants whose names were not read out by party officials.
He alleged that Aiyedatiwa had already identified “consensus candidates” publicly, describing the primaries as merely ceremonial.
“They said they were acting on the governor’s instruction—that supporters of aspirants whose names he did not read out should not be allowed into the voting areas. Only those he had listed as consensus candidates were to emerge,” Adu said.
“I Have Been in the Military”—Adu Rejects Chaos, Warns of Public Anger
Despite what he described as deliberate provocation, Adu said he and his supporters chose restraint to avoid bloodshed, arguing they had the capability to retaliate but refused to plunge Ondo State into chaos.
“I have been in the military. We know the boys, and we have the resources to bring them out. But what will it profit me if, at the end of the day, lives are lost?” he said.
“He does not have the monopoly of violence. But as a mature person who understands leadership and management, I cannot allow my actions to plunge the state into chaos.”
Adu said the governor’s approach has deepened division within the APC and across the state, asserting that Ondo is currently fragmented and politically unstable.
“There is no peace in the state. There is no love in the state,” he lamented.
APC’s Electoral Prospects Under Threat, He Warns
Going beyond the primaries, Adu challenged the viability of the candidates he claimed were imposed, warning that those selected through force may struggle to win APC votes in the general election.
“The truth is, those he has elected by force cannot win elections in Ondo State for APC. They cannot. There are better candidates in other parties, and the people are angry,” he declared.
While maintaining that he does not intend to sabotage the party, Adu warned that mounting public frustration could damage APC’s electoral chances.
“I’m not saying we will work against them, but even if we don’t, the people outside are very, very angry. The state is currently burning, and we are saying this so that the whole world can hear,” he said.
Message to Party Leaders
Adu also fired a broad warning at the state’s political leadership, questioning its legitimacy and ability to unify the APC.
“For you to call yourself a leader of that status, when the whole state is fragmented and there is no peace—you cannot even gather 200 people in this state. That should tell you everything,” he concluded.
