The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) held its Local Government primaries on Saturday (today) across the 377 wards in 57 councils.

However, reports tickling in from the wards and LGs showed the process was marred with violence as thugs attacked party and council officials.

Our reporter gathered that two people were killed with some sustaining various degree of injuries in the violence that ensued in some wards and LGs.

According to reports, the Returning Officers for Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Mr Lateef Ibirogba and his counterpart at Somolu Local Government, Amida Abudu were attacked on their way to the venue of the primaries.

Both of them have since returned to the state party secretariat at Acme, Ikeja.

The thugs were said to have stolen Ibirogba’s handset and bag after attacking him.

Some members alleged that the incumbent council chairman, Ahmed Apatira was behind the attack.

According to them, Apatira knew he would lose the election, hence he sent thugs to disrupt the process.

But Apatira said he didn’t instigate the attack, saying the people attacked alongside the Returning Officer, were his supporters.

“How can I, the Chief Security Officer of the council instigate such attack. It is a lie. Those who did that knew I’m the popular aspirant, hence didn’t want the primaries to hold. They have been sending thugs to threaten my supporters before the election. They even threatened some party leaders,” he added.

At Surulere, it was learnt that two persons were killed during a fracas.

In Somolu Local Government, some thugs allegedly attacked venue of the primary with guns and cutlasses and injured the Council Chairman’s aide, Ajimomuya.

The Isolo axis of Oshodi-Isolo Local Govt Area were not left in the violence from the fall of out of the primaries. According to residents, sounds of gunshots rented the air particularly in Ire-Akari Estate and Ibe road. Majority were trapped in the houses to avoid falling victims of stray bullets.

In Alimosho, there was a video on social media of a crowd accusing a party chieftain of sending thugs to disrupt the election.

The police officers were also said to have witnessed the scenario but couldn’t stop the hoodlums from disrupting the process.

Meanwhile, the party in yet to issue a statement on the conduct of the LG primaries across the state. (Text, excluding headline, courtesy The Nation)

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