The crises trailing the All Progressive Congress APC primaries resonated on Monday forcing an abrupt stoppage of the Presidential campaign rally at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
The APC supporters had openly rejected Dapo Abiodun as the authentic candidate, in preference for Adekunle Akinkade, Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s candidate who has moved to the Allied Peoples Movement’s Governorship candidate.
But reacting to the development, President Muhammadu Buhari told the APC supporters to vote for the candidates of their choice during the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ogun State
“I appeal to our royal fathers to educate their subjects on the need to show respect and vote whoever they want to vote for without being violent.”
The President who was obviously disturbed by the action of APC supporters while addressing traditional rulers after the ugly incidence at the Stadium, also urged the traditional rulers to “ prevail on their subjects to maintain peace and respect for constituted authority”
Police had to use tear gas to disperse the unruly crowed before security officials smuggled President Muhammadu Buhari out of the stadium.
Trouble started when the crowed began to boo and refused the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole an opportunity to make his speech, soon after the state Governor, Ibikunke Amosun addressed the party supporters.
Many of those opposed to Oshiomhole pelted the podium where the President and other VIP guests was seating with various objects, including bottles, empty cans of drinks and even sachet water.
One of the objects narrowly missed hitting the President as a vigilant security aide attached to the Vice President deflected the object as it was about to hit the President.
The crises was fueled by two factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the candidate of the state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) had clashed at the rally ground.
Missiles began to fly towards the Presidential podium when the former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola mounted the podium and was speaking in Yoruba language in favour of the APC governorship candidate.
The confusion, which saw many party supporters trouping out of the stadium as the atmosphare was charhed, intensified when the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole mounted the podium to speak and present the party flag to APC governorship candidate, Dapo Abilene.
He promised to look into the requests put forward by the traditional rulers even as he expressed satisfaction with the great roles his Vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has been playing in the federal government efforts at correcting the wrongs of the past.
Speaking earlier, the chairman of the Ogun State Traditional Council and Alake, Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo thanked President Buhari for bringing Nigeria back on track after years of mismanagement.
He expressed gratitude to the President for many things he had done in favour of the State, including network of roads, rail lines, honouring of late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and above all, the choice of Professor Osinbajo as his second in command.
The Alake assured President Buhari of over 60 percent votes from Osun State in the Saturday Presidential poll.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
