Bello, Faleke supporters clash in Abuja

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Supporters of Alhaji Yahaya Bello who was chosen to replace the Kate Prince Abubakar Audu in this weekend’s supplementary election in Kogi state and those of James Abiodun Falake clashed at the APC national Secretariat just as the party was about to begin a meeting with stakeholders in the state to announce their choice.

The supporters carrying sticks and stones tore at each other freely with the policemen on ground looking helpless and unable to curtail them.

Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai who arrived the secretariat about the time the supporters were beginning to go violent had to abandon his car at the gate and enter the secretariat on foot.

A few seconds later, James Faleke arrived the scene, sparking off the fight between the supporters who started throwing stones at each other, while others carrying sticks started chasing after each other.

An elderly man wearing blue brocade with cap to match was seen calling some of the rioters who were running away from the scene to return while some of the police men had to take cover to avoid being hit with the stones.

One of the vehicles on the convoy of Faleke was hit on the bonnet by the flying stone thrown by one of the rioters.

A detachment of heavily armed Mobile policemen had to be drafted to the APC secretariat to bring the situation under control.

Bello had arrived the APC secretariat with his supporters at about 2.45pm and immediately went into the office of the National Secretary, while his supporters practically blocked the gate of the secretariat chanting Sai Yahaya Bello and carrying placard.

As early as 9.00, security had been beefed up at the secretariat with sources saying that the leadership had information that hired crowd were clearing to the secretariat from Kogi to come and protest at the secretariat.

Visitors to the APC secretariat were however restricted while Journalists covering the party were subjected to heavy security checks before being allowed into the secretariat.

The meeting of the party leadership with stakeholder of the party in Kogi state which was earlier scheduled to begin at about 10.00am however did not start until about 4.00pm.

The meeting had in attendance Alhaji Yahaya Bello, James Abiodun Faleke, Nasir el-Rufai who was chairman of the panel that conducted the Kogi governorship primary of the party, Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Mohammed Okhiare among other APC leaders from Kogi state.

Source: The Nation