An All Progressives Congress (APC) gathering in the North-East to endorse President Bola Tinubu for a second term erupted into chaos after key party stakeholders allegedly refused to endorse Vice President Kashim Shettima alongside the president.
A video circulated by AIT on Sunday depicted party members in a state of heated tension as the event came to an abrupt conclusion.
Sources indicate that the meeting was held in Gombe State and attended by significant APC figures from the region, including ministers, lawmakers, and others. The party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, was also in attendance.
Tensions reportedly escalated when the national vice chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, omitted Mr Shettima from his speech endorsing Mr Tinubu for a second term.
This omission ignited fierce controversy among delegates, leading to confrontations. The deputy national vice chairman (North-East), Bukar Dalori, intervened by taking the podium after Mr Salihu’s speech, which helped to ease the situation temporarily.
However, delegates were incensed once again when Mr Ganduje also failed to mention Mr Shettima while endorsing Mr Tinubu in his speech, resulting in a physical scuffle among attendees and further disrupting the event.
Mr Ganduje was unavailable for comment regarding the incidents at the meeting, and APC spokesperson, Felix Morka, did not reply to requests for insight on the development.
It should be noted that Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya endorsed Mr Tinubu for a second term on Saturday, recognising the president’s ongoing support for the state.
“I want to assure the president that for his efforts and what he is doing to bring about change and development in Nigeria, the people of Gombe State will follow him unreservedly, and from what I observe, his return in 2027 is guaranteed,” Mr Yahaya remarked.”
