Ebonyi APC primary turns bloody

At least one policeman was reportedly injured and  vehicles belonging to aspirants were smashed during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary in Ebonyi State yesterday as thugs invaded the party secretariat, venue of the exercise.

The primary which started peacefully, degenerated to chaos when thugs loyal to one of the aspirants stormed the venue and attacked policemen at the place.

An eyewitness said trouble started when the hoodlums noticed that their aspirant was losing votes and alleged that the list of delegates the electoral committee was using was not the authentic list and insisted that they should use the original list.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr. Chris Anyanwu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who confirmed the incident, said no fewer than 100 thugs were arrested during the melee.

“The APC primary at the party secretariat was going on smoothly amidst tight security provided by police command in the state, and as the delegates were being called on local government basis, it was discovered that the party’s working committee came up with a different list when Ezza South Local Government Area was called and the delegate did not accept.

“In the process, the election turned violent, if not for the timely intervention of policemen, the secretariat would have been taken over by the hoodlums because of the chaos. Over 100 of the hoodlums were rounded up and the state department of investigation was quizzing those arrested over the incident. As soon as it come with its report, those found culpable will be charged to court immediately. They injured one of the policemen and he is receiving treatment,” the  PPRO said.