Abuja, Nigeria – A high-level political coalition meeting in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, featuring prominent figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, was briefly plunged into disarray on Saturday following a dispute over state representation.
The ongoing consultative gathering, organised by the National Political Consultative Group (North) at the Abuja Continental Hotel, saw tensions escalate over who would speak on behalf of Jigawa State.
The disruption occurred when former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, announced a delegate to address the meeting on behalf of Jigawa. In protest, several individuals identifying as Jigawa delegates stormed the stage, physically preventing the named individual from speaking and insisting they would not accept the designated representative.
As the confrontation intensified, security personnel, including officers from the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and private guards, quickly formed a protective barrier around key attendees such as Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Order was eventually restored after several minutes of appeals. Subsequently, Mustapha Lamido, son of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, along with another delegate, was selected to speak on behalf of the state, allowing the proceedings to resume.
Add Comment