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APC NORTH-EAST STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING TURNS VIOLENT AFTER OMISSION OF SHETTIMA IN TINUBU ENDORSEMENT
Ameeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in the North-East descended into chaos on Sunday after key party figures, including National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, and National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, failed to mention Vice-President Kashim Shettima while endorsing President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
Held in Gombe State, the high-level meeting was attended by APC governors, ministers, lawmakers, and other prominent leaders from the region.
According to Daily Trust, tensions flared when Salihu, during his address, openly backed Tinubu as the APC’s unopposed candidate for the 2027 presidential election but made no reference to Shettima, who hails from Borno State in the North-East.
His silence provoked a heated response from delegates, some of whom began shouting and threatening physical confrontation. Security operatives quickly intervened and escorted Salihu out of the venue.
In a bid to douse the tension, APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Bukar Dalori, took the podium and offered an endorsement for both Tinubu and Shettima to seek a joint second term.
However, the controversy deepened when Ganduje, in his speech, also omitted Shettima’s name while throwing his weight behind President Tinubu.
Despite speaking for nearly 10 minutes, Ganduje made no mention of the Vice President, prompting further unrest among party loyalists. Like Salihu, he had to be ushered out of the hall under tight security,.
The meeting ended abruptly, overshadowed by the apparent internal discord over the perceived sidelining of the Vice President.
A video of the event published by AIT Online captures a violent and chaotic scene, with some attendees seen wielding chairs and using them to strike fellow participants.
