A stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State descended into chaos on Sunday after some party leaders failed to acknowledge Vice President Kashim Shettima while endorsing President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
The high-level gathering drew top APC figures from the North-East, including governors, ministers, lawmakers, and the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Tensions erupted when Comrade Mustapha Salihu, the APC’s National Vice Chairman (North-East), declared Tinubu as the party’s unopposed candidate but made no mention of Shettima. The omission infuriated some delegates, who shouted insults and attempted to confront Salihu before security personnel quickly intervened and escorted him out.
In a bid to calm the atmosphere, Deputy National Chairman Bukar Dalori stepped in to endorse both Tinubu and Shettima for second terms. His move was seen as an effort to appease delegates, particularly given Shettima’s influence in the region as a native of Borno State.
However, the situation worsened when National Chairman Ganduje delivered a nearly ten-minute speech without referencing the Vice President. The continued omission triggered more outrage, and Ganduje too had to be led out by security.
Amid the escalating tension, the meeting was eventually cut short.