Ime Akpan
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Ogun State today ended abruptly when persons suspected to be aggrieved members of the party disrupted proceedings.
NewsGazette which monitored the event from Lagos via Channels Television reports that the national chairman of the party, Mr. Adam’s Oshiomhole had mounted the podium to announce the purpose of the gathering when trouble started.
Jumping intermittently up and down to be able to reach the microphone which was set higher than him, Oshiomhole who had observed all the protocols declared: “I have come here to fulfill the primary purpose of today’s event, to solicit the support of the great people of Ogun State for our presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the sitting president.
“My second responsibility is to present the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun.”
Before Oshiomhole could finish saying Abiodun, a torrent of missiles was hauled at the podium thereby making everyone to run for cover.
Oshiomhole was also booed as he scurried to the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, ostensibly for consultation.
But the visibly livid and embarrassed paid no attention. Instead, he flung the party’s flag to the ground and left the venue in anger.
While the missiles kept flying from every direction to the podium, the state governor, Mr. Ibikunle Amosun, was heard in the background pleading with the crowd in Yoruba language to give peace a chance.
Amosun also spoke in English laced with heavy Yoruba accent said: “I beg you in the name of God. Our father –apparently referring to Buhari –is here. Please don’t disgrace him; I beg you, I beg you. Our father is here. I appeal to you; we have to swallow our pride, e jo, e jo.”
It was gathered that the aggrieved party supporters who had decamped to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), hurled missiles.
Amosun’s allies who were denied tickets by the APC are running on the tickets of the APM with Mr. Adekunle Akinlade as governorship candidate and are being backed by the governor who himself is a senatorial candidate of the APC.
Both parties are, however, back Mr. Buhari for reelection.
Addressing the remnants of the crowd after all was calm, Buhari who had all along been shielded from missiles by security operatives told the people to vote for the candidate of their choice across the parties in the state.
“On Saturday, February 16, you are to vote for presidential candidate of the APC. But I want to urge you to choose whoever you like across the parties as governor of Ogun State.
“There is no problem about it. I have no problem about it. The rest people of Ogun State will decide,” he said.
