How chaos Erupted at Abuja Coalition Meeting & How It Was Resolved: The Full Story
Abuja, Nigeria – May 25, 2025
A high-profile political coalition meeting held on Saturday at the Abuja Continental Hotel descended into chaos following a protest by delegates from Jigawa State over representation issues.
The meeting, convened by the National Political Consultative Group (North), brought together prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and others.
Tensions escalated when former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, announced a delegate to speak on behalf of Jigawa State. This move was met with immediate resistance as several Jigawa delegates stormed the stage, blocking the named speaker and insisting they would not accept representation by an appointee they did not endorse.
Security personnel, including officers from the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and private security operatives, swiftly intervened to shield key attendees such as Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi, forming a protective barrier as the situation escalated.
Following several minutes of appeals and negotiations, calm was eventually restored. Mustapha Lamido, son of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, along with another delegate, was agreed upon to represent the state during the proceedings.
The incident has sparked concerns over internal unity within the emerging coalition, which aims to forge a broad-based alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections. Despite the disruption, the meeting continued, with discussions focusing on forming a united political front.
Auwalu Garba, a delegate from Jigawa State, later clarified that the event proceeded in an orderly manner, describing the disagreement as a misunderstanding over procedural matters. He emphasized that the issue was quickly resolved after intervention from stakeholders.
The coalition meeting underscores the challenges of forging a cohesive alliance among diverse political factions, highlighting the importance of transparent processes and mutual respect among delegates.
Further details on the coalition’s plans and strategies are expected to emerge in the coming weeks as discussions continue.
