A presidential campaign rally organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State reportedly descended into violence on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, leaving several people injured and disrupting activities at the venue.
The incident occurred at Lafia Square, where Vice President Kashim Shettima and other prominent APC figures had gathered for the party’s political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reports said the situation became tense after some youths at the venue began chanting political slogans in support of Adamu Abubakar, a former Inspector-General of Police and governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the state.
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The development reportedly triggered a confrontation between rival political supporters, including those backing APC governorship candidate, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.
The disagreement subsequently escalated into violence, with some individuals allegedly wielding dangerous weapons and attacking others at the venue.
Security Operatives Deploy Tear Gas as Chaos Erupts
Security operatives reportedly intervened to control the situation as the confrontation spread across parts of the rally ground.
Tear gas was reportedly fired to disperse the crowd and restore order, while the disruption forced organisers to bring the programme to an abrupt end.
Reports also indicated that Shettima and other senior APC delegates had to leave the area amid the security concerns.
More than 40 people were reportedly injured during the incident, while some facilities were said to have been damaged. However, the casualty figure and extent of the damage require further official confirmation.
Nasarawa Government Orders Investigation
Following the incident, the Nasarawa State Government ordered an investigation into the disruption of the APC presidential campaign rally.
Governor Abdullahi Sule reportedly directed security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the violence and the alleged obstruction of the Vice President’s convoy.
The incident has also generated political reactions, with allegations and counter-allegations emerging over who was responsible for the disruption.
A camp associated with former Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, reportedly rejected allegations linking him to the incident.
Political Tension Ahead of 2027 Elections
The incident has raised concerns about political activities and security at campaign gatherings ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With political parties gradually intensifying their preparations, the disruption highlights the importance of maintaining peaceful campaigns and ensuring the safety of political leaders, supporters and members of the public.
Security agencies are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible for any confirmed acts of violence.
