Damilola Faranti,Akure
The drama rocking the political in Ondo State took a new turn on Monday morning when suspected political thugs invaded the Ondo state house of assembly.
The suspected thugs were at the complex to prevent lawmakers from resuming for plenary.
According to reports, the suspected political hoodlums were positioned at the assembly complex ahead of the arrival of lawmakers who are loyalists of Agboola Ajayi, the deputy governor.
Local reports say the thugs stormed the complex in anticipation of the arrival of lawmakers who are loyal to Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi.
Ajayi, who fell out with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, dumped the APC for the PDP in June in order to realise a governorship ambition.
The lawmakers who were expected at the assembly complex and who are loyalists of Ajayi are Ogundeji Iroju (Odigbo constituency), Wale Williams (Ondo constituency I), Tomide Akinribido (Ondo constituency II), and Favour Tomomowo (Ilaje constituency II).
The pro-Ajayi legislators had been suspended from plenary. However, a High Court in Akure, the Ondo State capital, voided their suspension.
These lawmakers had declared their support for the deputy governor who decamped from APC to PDP before finally securing the governorship ticket with Zenith Labour Party.
They were planning to resume at plenary on Monday but the suspects laid siege to the assembly.
Three of the lawmakers belong to the APC. Akinribodo is of the ZLP.
Security operatives have encircled the complex to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Akerodolu will square up to Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP and 15 other candidates in the October vote.