Lawan Speaks On Supporters Violently Attacking Northern APC Governor

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has debunked reports of alleged violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) zonal campaign rally in Gashua, Bade Local Government Area in Yobe State.

Naija News reports that some supporters of Lawan had disrupted and stoned Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State at an event organised to celebrate the ruling of the Supreme Court which named the Senate President as the authentic senatorial candidate of the ruling APC for Yobe North in the National Assembly election.

The event, which was attended by hundreds of supporters of the party, doubled as the APC’s zonal campaign rally for the Yobe North district.

However, as soon as Governor Buni stood up to deliver his speech, the angry supporters, who loudly cheered Lawan who spoke before the governor, began to chant slogans of rejection; ‘bwamayi bwamayi bwamaso” – meaning “we don’t want you”.

The visibly angry supporters subsequently started throwing objects at the governor and other guests at the poduim, forcing the rally to an abrupt end after the governor was whisked away by security operatives.

Clarifying what transpired at the rally in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media, Ola Awoniyi on Sunday, Lawan said reports of violence was a misrepresentation and outright fabrication.

He said: “The offensive reports insinuated that there was a disruption of the rally by a particular group of supporters. The report also alleged that some party leaders were stoned at the rally.

“The facts are that the people of Yobe North Senatorial District otherwise referred to as Zone C turned out en masse for the rally in demonstration of their love for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and particularly to show their appreciation of the achievements of the State Governor, His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni in the last three and half years of his administration.”

He said the large size and enthusiasm of the crowd was a show of solidarity and support for their son, whose candidacy for the Yobe North Senatorial District has just been affirmed by a judgement of the Supreme Court.

According to him, the rally was a further demonstration that the relationship between the people of Yobe North and the Governor is as solid as ever before.