By A Special Correspondent
Vice President Kashim Shettima was there representing Tinubu, plus APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and others at the APC presidential rally for Tinubu’s re-election in Lafiya, Nasarawa State which ended up war-like..
Gov. Abdullahi Sule was on stage chanting “Wadada Gwamna!” – pushing his preferred APC governorship candidate, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.
Youths in APC shirts in the crowd fired back with counter-chant: “IG Gwamna!” – for former IGP Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, who is now SDP governorship candidate.
They said they were there to support Tinubu for President, but they want Adamu for Governor – not Wadada.
The bubble bust when Wadada supporters vs Adamu supporters started fighting with dangerous weapons. Security moved in, fired tear gas – even near the podium with dignitaries outside VIP section fleeing for safety. Vice President Kashim Shettima was evacuated and the rally was abruptly ended.
Casualties reported from the incudent hit over 40 people injured, several missing – families were still searching for relatives after the rally.
There were also reports that before the rally, during Shettima’s visit to Emir of Lafia, his convoy was obstructed and an object suspected to be a shoe was thrown toward the podium, and Governor Sule was allegedly pelted with missiles.
Blame game raging as of today, November 5: Gov. Sule/Nasarawa Govt: Blamed former Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and ex-IGP Adamu Abubakar. Called it “ignoble act” by sponsored thugs. Ordered DSS to probe. Sule said: “We cannot just arrest 5 or 6 almajiris and say that’s the end. The people responsible must be called to order.“
Al-Makura’s camp: Rejected it. Said Sule turned a Tinubu rally into a personal coronation for Wadada. Said the real problem is anger over the APC governorship primary in May that many say was unfair. Seven suspects already arrested.
It really wasn’t APC vs opposition. It was APC vs APC – a fight over who becomes next Nasarawa governor, that hijacked Tinubu’s own presidential rally.
