A fight broke out on Sunday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe.
Top party officials, including the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and the North-East Vice Chairman, Comrade Mustapha Salihu, were forced to leave under tight security.
The clash started after Salihu publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 election without mentioning Vice President Kashim Shettima.
This move angered many party delegates, especially those from Shettima’s home region.
Soon after his speech, delegates began shouting and threatening Salihu, prompting security officers to rush him out of the venue.
When Ganduje later took the stage, he also failed to acknowledge Shettima in his 10-minute speech.
His remarks, which praised President Tinubu’s leadership, further worsened the mood in the hall.
Angry APC members began to boo and jeer him, with some seen dragging at his blue Agbada.
Security operatives quickly surrounded Ganduje and helped him out of the meeting before the crowd could get violent.
Attempts by other party leaders to calm the situation did little to stop the chaos.
The event, which was meant to project unity ahead of the 2027 elections, ended abruptly as tempers could not be brought under control.
The incident has added fuel to growing rumours that the APC might replace Vice President Shettima with a Christian Northerner in 2027 to balance religious representation on the ticket.
Former House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, is reportedly being considered, although no official announcement has been made.
The party now faces the task of managing internal divisions as it prepares for another round of national elections.
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