By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
A rally organised by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State on Sunday ended in violence, leaving several people injured and vehicles vandalised in Kafin Hausa, the hometown of Governor Umar Namadi.
The gathering, convened by APC chieftain Alhaji Zakari Sidi Kafin Hausa, was billed as a show of support for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Thousands of mostly young supporters attended, with the event also drawing the APC’s National Financial Secretary, Bashir Gumel, and several former and serving political office holders.
Alhaji Sidi told the crowd that the rally was aimed at mobilising grassroots support for President Tinubu’s second term bid, citing his economic reforms, infrastructural projects, and youth empowerment programmes.
“Nigeria is lucky to have President Bola Tinubu at this critical time. His policies on local government autonomy, NELFUND and youth empowerment are already reshaping the country,” he said.
However, the event turned bloody towards the end when suspected political thugs stormed the venue, attacking participants and vandalising cars. Many were injured, including passersby and residents of the area.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers were supporters of a rival APC faction loyal to Governor Namadi, who reportedly viewed the rally as a challenge to his leadership. The clash is believed to reflect the growing political rift between Governor Namadi and Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, under whose administration many of the rally’s organisers had served.
Alhaji Sidi accused “sponsored hoodlums” of invading the venue after dignitaries had departed.
“The event was rescheduled from Saturday to Sunday to avoid confrontation, yet they still came with arms, injuring many and destroying properties,” he alleged.
The police spokesperson in Jigawa, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, could not be reached for comment as his mobile lines were unavailable on Sunday evening.
Sunday’s rally marked the first major show of open defiance in Jigawa APC ranks, with a faction mobilising for President Tinubu without direct endorsement of Governor Namadi.
The development, observers say, may deepen cracks within the party as it prepares for the 2027 elections.