Thugs Unleash Terror In Ogun, As Buhari, Oshiomhole Booed, Stoned

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ibikunle Amosun at a rally

ABEOKUTA - But for mother luck, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on Monday escaped unscathed as notorious political thugs suspected to be loyal to Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State booed and stoned the President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Monday.

Trouble started when the APC National Chairman mentioned the name of the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Mr Dapo Abiodun, while addressing the crowd.

Upon hearing Mr Abiodun’s name, the crowd at the MKO Abiola International Stadium started booing Mr Oshiomhole with some throwing objects at him, prompting security operatives to surround him.

As the crowd trouble continued, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who is supporting Adekunle Akinlade, the governorship candidate of the APM to succeed him, had to intervene and appeal to the crowd to respect the presence of President Buhari.

The governor's appeal went on deaf ears of the hoodlums who have been heavily mobilized to the stadium, as they threw plastic water at the presidential VIP stand at the stadium.

It took the swift intervention of a security aide at the podium who prevented the plastic bottle from hitting President Buhari at his stand. 

R-L: President Buhari raising Prince Dapo Abiodun as the APC governorship candidate in Ogun State on Monday while governor Amosun looks on

Many in the crowd were not appeased and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had to be called to give a speech, leading to the return of calm at the venue of the rally.

President Muhammadu Buhari spoke after Professor Osinbajo and when he raised Dapo Abiodun’s hands as the APC flag bearer in the state the anger returned with some still throwing things forward.

A team of security operatives had to shield the President and other officials at the stage while the National Anthem was playing at the end of the rally.