The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has addressed the chaotic incident that disrupted the ...
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has addressed the chaotic incident that disrupted the party’s North East stakeholders meeting on Sunday in Gombe State.
Ganduje stated that the unrest was incited by certain party members who rejected his clarification that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are set to contest the 2027 general election on a joint ticket. The meeting, which brought together key APC figures from the region, turned turbulent after a motion was raised endorsing President Tinubu for a second term—without including Vice President Shettima in the resolution.
This omission sparked protests among some attendees, leading to a breakdown of order within the hall. The situation escalated quickly, forcing security operatives to intervene. Ganduje and several state governors had to be hurriedly escorted out of the venue to ensure their safety.
Despite efforts by other senior party officials, including the Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Bukar Dalori, to restore calm, the aggrieved members refused to back down.
Reacting to the incident, Chief Oliver Okpala, media aide to Ganduje, condemned the protest, labeling it a “shameful act” and a serious affront to party unity and leadership. He emphasized that Ganduje had explicitly stated during the meeting that both Tinubu and Shettima remain a united team heading into 2027, and there was no justification for excluding the Vice President from the endorsement.
Okpala warned that internal violence and public disorder within the APC could severely tarnish the party’s image and stall national political stability. He urged party leaders to sensitize their followers on the importance of discipline, peaceful dialogue, and due process when disagreements occur.
Commending the swift intervention of security personnel, Okpala noted that their actions helped prevent physical harm to the National Chairman. He stressed that the incident must not be taken lightly, describing it as a direct attack on the APC’s national leadership.
He concluded by appealing to party members to avoid sowing seeds of division, reminding them of Nigeria’s troubled political history. Leadership, he said, should be rooted in peace, cooperation, and respect—not threats, intimidation, or violence.
No comments