‎The last is yet to be heard of the crisis rocking All Progressives Congress (APC) over the replacement of some candidates who won the primaries for the 2027 elections.

‎About six senatorial candidates and 19 House of Representatives ticket winners were replaced by the leadership of the party.

‎In Ondo, one of the states badly affected by the development, supporters confronted one another over the selection of the party’s Ondo North Senatorial candidate, on Saturday.

‎Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye who was initially declared winner of the primaries in Ondo North, was replaced with Senator Olajide Ipinsagba.

‎To protest the development, supporters of one of the politicians demonstrated against the outcome of the party’s senatorial candidate selection process.

‎However, the situation escalated when another faction arrived at the scene, leading to heightened tension.

‎Eyewitnesses said the situation degenerated into violence as supporters from both camps hurled bottles and brandished sticks, creating panic among residents and road users.

‎Security operatives swiftly intervened to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

‎Police officers deployed lawful crowd-control measures, including the use of tear gas, to disperse the violent crowd and restore normalcy.

‎Following the intervention, the protesters dispersed, while security personnel maintained a presence in the area to forestall any further violence.

‎Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the Command acted promptly to prevent the situation from escalating.

‎According to him, the disturbance resulted from a confrontation between two APC factions over the party’s Ondo North Senatorial candidate selection.

‎He said despite repeated appeals by the Police for restraint and peaceful dialogue, both groups became violent, forcing officers to deploy tear gas as part of lawful crowd-control measures.

‎DSP Abayomi added that calm had since been restored, with security personnel monitoring the area to ensure sustained peace.

‎The Police spokesman reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, provided such rights are exercised within the law.

‎He urged political stakeholders and their supporters to embrace peaceful means of resolving grievances and cooperate with security agencies in maintaining peace across the state.