Buhari booed, stoned as crisis mars Ogun APC Presidential rally

The internal wrangling within the Ogun State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) escalated to a dangerous dimension on Monday, at the much awaited presidential rally of the party which took place at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta.

Security operatives forming shield to protect Buhari from attack

Trouble started when the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, was about to present the party’s flag to its gubernatorial candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun, during his speech when the restive crowd surged forward and started pelting Oshiomhole with bottles and other objects.

 

The unruly behaviour of the crowd forced Oshiomhole to hurriedly present the flag to Abiodun without concluding his speech.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun calmed the situation, as he appealed to the restive crowd to sheath their sword.

 

Shortly after, tension rose again when President Muhammadu Buhari concluded his speech and was about to raise Dapo Abiodun’s hand up as the party’s flag bearer. 

The violent crowd started booing and stoning President Buhari, as he managed to hurriedly raise Abiodun’s hand up.

The security operatives quickly formed a shield in front of Buhari to prevent him from being harmed by the dangerous objects being thrown at him.

Earlier in his speech, President Buhari reeled out the achievements of his administration since he came into the saddle in 2015, and appealed to the people to give him their mandate by voting for him again on February 16.

On the gubernatorial election, Buhari repeatedly said, “On March 2, vote for whoever you like across the parties, I don’t have problem with that”. 

Meanwhile, Governor Amosun, in his welcome speech urged the people of Ogun State to re-elect President Buhari in appreciation of his performance which Ogun State benefitted from.

He advised his loyalists to await directive on who to vote for during the gubernatorial election on March 2, as he informed that Allied People’s Movement (APM) will come back to APC on March 3.

It will be recalled that Amosun’s preferred gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, who was also at the presidential rally along with his teeming supporters, will contest the election on the platform of APM.