By OBSERVERS TIMES
A high-level political consultative meeting in Abuja, bringing together prominent figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, was briefly thrown into disarray on Sunday as delegates from Jigawa State disrupted proceedings.
The incident occurred at the Abuja Continental Hotel during the National Political Consultative Group (North) meeting. Sources indicate the disruption stemmed from a dispute over the official representation for Jigawa State.
Trouble reportedly began when former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, recognized a delegate to speak on behalf of Jigawa. This decision was met with immediate protest from several other Jigawa delegates, who stormed the stage, blocking the individual from speaking and vehemently insisting they would not be represented by the chosen person.
The impromptu protest prompted a swift response from security personnel, including officers from the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and private guards, who quickly formed a protective barrier around the key political figures present.
Normalcy was eventually restored after several minutes of appeals and negotiations. Subsequently, Mustapha Lamido, son of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, was named, alongside another delegate, to speak on behalf of the state, bringing an end to the brief but intense standoff.
