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The unrest was reportedly sparked after three APC local government chairmen representing Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo allegedly left the collation centre with election results, a development that triggered outrage among party members.
Sources at the venue said the crisis began when results started indicating that a particular aspirant was taking an early lead in the contest, a situation that heightened suspicion and tension within the camp of rival supporters.
Eyewitnesses further alleged that armed men invaded the venue shortly afterwards, forcing party members to scamper for safety as the collation process was disrupted.
The disturbance reportedly created an opening for suspected political thugs to engage in widespread thumb-printing activities around the Okpoga Roundabout, an allegation that could not be independently verified.
In the confusion that followed, the three local government chairmen were said to have exited the venue with result sheets from their respective councils, an action that immediately sparked protests from aggrieved party members.
As of press time, protests were still ongoing in parts of Okpoga, while the whereabouts of the officials remained unclear.
The incident comes amid earlier allegations within the party of attempts by some political actors to impose a preferred aspirant as consensus candidate for the constituency.
Party leadership, however, had insisted that the exercise would be conducted through a competitive primary to ensure fairness and internal democracy among aspirants.
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