Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
There was confusion in Minna yesterday as security operatives sealed up a stadium meant to rally support for the presidential candidate of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Umar Mohammed Bago.

The stadium, which was inaugurated on Monday, was invaded as early as 7am by security agencies yesterday.

As of 10am, armed security personnel consisting of the Police, Nigeria Security, and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Roads Safety Corps, and the Vigilante, were seen preventing people from entering the facility.

However, party leaders and loyalists turned the rally into a road show with a massive crowd joining their carnival possession to march through major streets in New Bussa.

Men of the Nigerian Army, were also seen in three vans, patrolling the stadium area.

The Police, however, justified their actions through a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Niger State Command, Mr Wasiu Abiodun, who said the action was to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

Abiodun said, “The Police had to take over the venue of the planned rally, as a proactive measure due to intelligence received of a likely breach of security at the venue.

“Hence, we have to do the needful to avert any possible attack or hijack by suspected miscreants to cause mayhem and breach of peace in the community.

“The Command will not fold its alms and allow the act of political violence, avoidable loss of life, destruction of properties and lawlessness.”

Reacting, the Senator disagreed with the police over its claims that the action was based on intelligence reports.

He said, “If there was going to be any security breach, I think the method we adopted today would have aided the breach if there would be any.

“What we saw today is love for me. I have addressed them to support all APC candidates, including in Niger North senatorial district and they all agreed.

“I have no explanation as to why force and power were unleashed on my efforts for the party but I took it in good faith and leave it to God. What we have done today has laid to rest any doubt as to whether I’m leaving the party or not.

“By the Grace of God, we will vote for all APC candidates in the coming elections.”

‘Plot to clone BVAS’

*Niger Senator laments disruption in New Bussa

However, the Senator representing Niger North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi has he had taken in good fate, the disruption of a rally he organised under the auspices of Project 774 in New Bussa, Niger State yesterday.

The Deputy Whip of the Senate stated this while speaking with journalists after the security agents prevented his group from holding the political event inside the New Bussa Township Stadium which he renovated as part of his constituency projects.

The Senator, who is the main organiser of the programme had through his Special Assistant (operations), Mohammed Garba Danladi in a letter dated 27/01/2023 and addressed to the state Party Chairman, Hon. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro notified the party of the planned rally.

Sabi in the letter also stated that the State Working Committee of the party were invited to the Grand Lockdown Rally for the Candidates and their running mates on the need to galvanize support and positively enhance the party at the polls.

However, the State Working Committee of the party in a statement in Minna on Monday by the publicity secretary, Mallam Musa Dan Sarkindaji, a copy which was made available to journalists, said the Chairman of the party, Hon Haliru Zakari Jikantoro has disassociated itself from the rally.

The Party urged its Executives, stakeholders, and party loyalists to attend the grand zonal rally which is scheduled for Wednesday 2nd of February, 2023 Bida, headquarters of Bida local government.

*No reason was however given for action of the party.

The state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, who is the leader of the party in the state was also said to have instructed the party to stay away from the planned rally.

Further investigations by our correspondent revealed that the Governor was angry because his picture was not in the programme booklet despite being the senatorial candidate of the party in the zone.

It will be recalled that the relationship between the Governor and Sabi Abdullahi went sour since the former showed interest in the latter’s seat at the National Assembly.