A tragic incident occurred during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the House of Representatives seat in Plateau State, resulting in the death of a man identified as Sani Abdullahi. The deceased was reportedly shot by soldiers after a disagreement over the delayed start of the exercise.
Details of the Incident
According to reports from Daily Trust, the deceased was a resident of Kasuwan Ali Community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. The primary election was originally scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, but did not commence as planned due to the absence of returning officers.
A resident, Ibrahim Sale, provided an account of the events. He stated that the trouble began when some APC members protested the delay in the commencement of the primary. The youths alleged that the delay was intentional and began demonstrating.
As the protest escalated, government officials who had come to witness the exercise decided to leave the venue due to the absence of electoral officers. However, some youths blocked the road to prevent the officials from departing, insisting that they would not leave until electoral officers arrived to conduct the primary.
This drew the attention of security personnel, who moved in to disperse the crowd. The youths then started throwing stones at the security personnel. In response, soldiers opened fire, and a stray bullet struck the victim, leading to his death.
Context and Reaction
The incident has heightened tensions in the area, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The APC primary election was a crucial step in selecting candidates for the upcoming general elections, and such violence raises concerns about the integrity and security of the electoral process.
This event underscores the challenges faced in conducting peaceful and orderly primaries in Nigeria, where delays and logistical issues often lead to frustrations among party members and supporters.
