By Yemi Monday
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential campaign rally in Bauchi State ended abruptly in confusion on Monday following a breach of security and the sabotage of the public address system.
The surging crowd vandalized the security barricades and the public address system was cut for the second time just before President Muhammadu Buhari and Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu could speak at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, the venue of the event.
The problem started when Director General of Tinubu/Shetima Campaign Council and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, was speaking and the microphone went off.
The glitch was later fixed and the campaign was going smoothly as the President presented flags to the Bauchi State gubernatorial candidate, Air Marshall Sadique Baba Abubakar (rtd). The President also raised Air Marshal Abubakar’s hand and that of the Presidential candidate of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shortly after the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu alongside President Buhari, Tinubu and others mounted the podium to begin delivering their speeches, with Tinubu dancing, cheered by the crowd, the public address system went off the second time.
All the dignitaries were rushed out of the podium as the crowd surged closer to the podium.
Following the situation, a visibly angry President Buhari left the stadium immediately with his entourage without delivering his speech.
Other dignitaries also abruptly left the podium and rushed into their vehicles.
The Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, trekked through the crowd at the stadium accompanied by his security details until he located where his vehicles were parked.
And political urchins had a field day as they vandalized facilities at the stadium, carting them away while security operatives looked helpless and could not stop them.
Speaking earlier at the event, Lalong said Buhari wanted Tinubu to take over from him, noting that after eight years of the Buhari-led administration, “there are no other persons than our Presidential candidate Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as President and Vice President to continue with the good work the president has started.”
He urged the people of the State to vote for APC candidates at all levels during the forthcoming general elections for overall victory of the party in the state and Nigeria at large.