Violence broke out at Ward 1 at Stella Maris College, Okitipupa, between rival supporters of two aspirants of the All Progressives Congress who are contesting to be the party’s candidate for the November 16, Ondo State Governorship election.

Accredited party members, who had gathered in large numbers to participate in the candidate selection process, fled the scene when violence erupted among the rival factions.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the accreditation and election process had not begun when the violence erupted as voters scampered for safety.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Hoodlums Storm Voting Venues Of Ondo APC Primary Election [VIDEO]

One of the accredited voters, who preferred anonymity, told NAN that one of the agents of an aspirant came to the ward, snatched the validation and accreditation papers and ran away.

“One of the agents came here, snatched the validation and accreditation papers and fled the venue in his car.

“They chased him, but could not catch him. This caused the violence,” he said.

The security agents at the ward were unable to contain the violence and everyone fled the scene.

The Federal Government has announced plans to pin down Ways and Means advances to address the issue of excessive liquidity in the system and combat inflation.

The Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, made this announcement in Washington DC after meeting with investors during the ongoing spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

In February, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, stated that the bank would cease providing Ways and Means advances to the federal government until all outstanding debts are repaid.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Nigeria’s Inflation Hit 31.70% In February – NBS

However, Edun said the fiscal and monetary authorities are also working towards bringing down inflation.

“The two authorities are working hand in hand to bring down inflation and pressure on price stability and stabilising the exchange rate with the target of bringing down interest rates so that investors can borrow at a more affordable rate with a view to getting the economy going the right direction again,” Edun said.

“We need to borrow less and focus more on domestic resource mobilisation. We want long-term resources to avoid repayment and refinancing pressures.”

READ ALSO: African Immigrants Struggle To Pay Bills In UK As inflation Soars – Report

Speaking further, the minister stated that the current administration is addressing food security by prioritising farmers’ access to their land, particularly in areas where insecurity has significantly hindered food production.

Edun added that agro clusters are being developed in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to increase food production in the country.

Tension has escalated in Ondo State as reports emerged of cultists storming voting venues of the commencement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election.

Videos shared on social media show the hoodlums disembarking from their vehicles in one of the voting centres to intimidate party members.

Eyewitnesses say the cultists wielded weapons and instilled fear among voters and party officials alike.

Security personnel have been called upon to restore order in order to prevent the hoodlums from disrupting proceedings.

READ ALSO: Aiyedatiwa, 15 Others Jostle For Ondo APC Gov Ticket Today

Members of the APC in Ondo State are expected to file out today to choose among 16 aspirants seeking to fly the party’s flag in the 16 November governorship election.

Of the 16 aspirants that have been cleared for the primaries, some are serious contenders, while others have been serial aspirants in previous governorship elections in the state.

Watch the video below:

APC PRIMARY ELECTION: CULTIST STORM VOTING VENUES IN ONDO pic.twitter.com/3d8ANn7ZcJ

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