Violence disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta South senatorial primary election after armed youths reportedly invaded the voting venue in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident occurred at Ebe Primary School, Ovrode, where party members had gathered for the primary election.
Sources told reporters that Ovie Umuakpo, Executive Assistant to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, narrowly escaped during the chaos, while several persons reportedly sustained injuries.
The attack was also said to have affected supporters linked to Delta State Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme.
An APC member who witnessed the incident alleged that armed youths stormed the venue and began shooting, causing panic and forcing party members to flee for safety.
According to the witness, some youths at the venue resisted the attackers, leading to clashes that reportedly left several people injured.
“The armed youths invaded the venue unexpectedly and people started running for their lives as shooting began,” the source said, adding that both the invading group and local youths reportedly suffered injuries during the confrontation.
The witness further alleged that the incident was connected to ongoing political tensions between Ovie Umuakpo and the health commissioner over control and influence within the senatorial district.
Following the violence, the primary election venue was reportedly relocated from Ovrode to the Isoko North council secretariat in Ozoro to allow the exercise continue under tighter security.
There were also claims that firearms were recovered from some of the suspected attackers, while injured persons were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
However, when contacted, Umuakpo denied allegations that he led an armed invasion of the venue.
According to him, he only visited Ovrode after learning that the venue for the primary had allegedly been changed from the approved location.
“I didn’t invade Ovrode. I went there to ask why the venue was relocated. When we arrived, boys on the ground attacked us and some people were injured on both sides,” he said.
He also dismissed reports that he narrowly escaped death during the incident.
Efforts to get comments from Commissioner Onojaeme were unsuccessful, as sources said he was attending to injured persons at the hospital.
As of the time of reporting, calm had reportedly returned to the area, while collation of results from parts of the senatorial district was ongoing in Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area.