Violence reportedly erupted in Ofosu, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State during the governorship election held in the state on Saturday.

It was gathered that loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Hon Agboola Ajayi and those of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa clashed during the exercise.

Sources informed that crisis occurred at one of the polling centres in the town shortly after the commencement of the election.

It was gathered that an argument had ensued among the voters and that eventually led to crisis, after which political thugs stormed the polling centre and unleashed violence.

The running mate to the PDP governorship candidate, Hon Festus Akingbaso alleged that the APC supporters were the first to cause trouble in the area.

But the APC’s Director of media and strategy, Mr Steve Otaloro denied the allegation, saying that the APC members couldn’t have caused crisis as they’re sure of victory in the election.

Akingbaso who is a serving member of the House of Representatives said the PDP had already petitioned the Commissioner of Police over the activities of the APC members in some parts of the state.

Hon Akingbaso who voted at unit 08, ward 06 in Alade Idanre expressed optimism that the PDP would win the election if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not comprise.

“Information reaching me is that majority of the villages are filled with thugs allegedly brought in by the APC. At the moment, all the villages are occupied with thugs. Villages like Ofosu, Omifunfun and Alla are occupied. There is a place called Igbepo in Idanre Local Government Area where suspected thugs are in their numbers.

“An incident happened in Ofosu where suspected thugs broke into the house of a PDP member to prevent him from voting. We were informed that there are plans not to allow people in the villages to vote. Since Friday, the APC have been alleged to have brought in suspected thugs,” he added.

Meanwhile, cases of vote buying were allegedly recorded in some parts of the state during the election with voters allegedly being paid after casting their votes.

At unit 17, ward 08 in Arakale area of Akure, voters were seen putting down their names after voting, while agents of political parties paid them.

Some of the voters moved to hidden places to collect their money, while money transfer was used for the payment of some voters.

The two major political parties allegedly involved in the vote buying were the APC and PDP.

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) monitoring the election were seen at Arakale area of Akure, yet the vote buying allegedly took place at polling centres in the area. (Saturday Sun)