President Muhammadu Buhari left the venue of his All progressive Congress (APC) campaign in Jos without delivering his campaign speech, due to the large crowd of party supporters who overwhelmed the security at the event.
President Buhari, who is seeking re-election, was ushered out of the venue of the rally through the back door of the stadium located at the VIP section.
Mr Buhari arrived at the Rwang Pam Stadium at about 3:30 p.m. with his entourage. On the entourage was Governor Simon Lalong and his deputy, Sunny Tyoden; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustafa; former Plateau deputy governor, Pauline Tallen, among other dignitaries.
While he was entering the venue of the rally, thousands of party supporters were hailing his arrival, chanting “4+4.” The crowd had also forced the president’s convoy to stop for security to clear the way for him to get access to the venue.
Soon after he got to the VIP area before alighting from his car, a mammoth crowd trooped towards his car and blocked all ways to get out of the car.
The situation compelled the president to sit in the car for over 30 minutes, waiting for security to control the area before he finally got to his seat as security personnel pushed back the crowd and struggled to make way.
All efforts by security agents including soldiers and the SSS, to gain control of the venue was unsuccessful, as supporters resisted all security forces.
Later, more crowd, believed to be mostly supporters of the party, surged toward the podium while some climbed the top of vehicles in the entourage of Mr Buhari, chanting “Sai Buhari, Sai Baba”.
As security personnel battled unsuccessfully to push the crowd back, Mr Buhari left the venue of the rally without delivering his speech.
He was led away through the rear exit.
Governor Simon Lalong and the director general of the Buhari/Osinabajo Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, were not also able to deliver any speech at the venue due to the crowd trouble.
The president was only able to wave to party supporters as he hurried out.
