APC leadership condemns attempted attack on Ganduje in Gombe

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the attempted physical attack on its National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, during the party’s North East Zonal meeting held in Gombe.

The incident, which involved disruptive party members, has been described by party leadership as “irresponsible, unpatriotic, and dangerous to the country’s democracy.”

In a statement issued by Chief Oliver Okpala, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment to the APC National Chairman, the party decried the violent conduct and warned of its broader implications.

“The disruption and acts of thuggery and brigandage by some members of the party at the zonal meeting of the North East APC is totally condemnable as grievously irresponsible and unpatriotic to the current political dispensation in the country,” Chief Okpala said.

He emphasized that such behavior has no place in a democratic society and called on politicians and their supporters to uphold the principles of peace and dialogue.

“There is no space for violence in Nigeria’s political space presently,” he stated. “Party members should resort to the civilized tenets of political decency, decorum, and comportment in their political activities.”

Referencing historical precedence, Okpala drew a sharp comparison between the incident and the political crisis of the First Republic, which ultimately contributed to Nigeria’s first military coup.

“It was this kind of unwarranted political crisis in the Western Region in the First Republic that developed into a major national crisis in the country and contributed to the collapse of the First Republic,” he warned.

According to him, Dr. Ganduje has made efforts to unify the party since assuming office and maintains strong ties to both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“The National Chairman of APC is a father to all,” Okpala said. “Since he assumed office, he has been working and uniting all members, and showing love to all. His closeness and relationship to the President and Vice President is not in doubt; it is as solid as the rock of Gibraltar.”

He explained that during the Gombe meeting, Ganduje had attempted to calm tensions by emphasizing party unity and the political importance of the North East zone.

“Even when Dr. Ganduje tried to diffuse the tension by letting them know that it’s a joint ticket, these individuals, whose actions looked recalcitrant by nature, failed to see reason to agree with his genuine submission,” Okpala said.

“He emphasized that the North East produced Nigeria’s number two citizen, and that the APC values the zone. That the President and Vice President are a single ticket under the constitution—yet they refused to listen.”

Describing the attempted attack as both personal and institutional, Okpala condemned it as an affront to the APC leadership.

“This attempt by these individuals to physically attack the National Chairman was an unruly act which must not be allowed to be swept under the carpet,” he declared. “This was not just an assault on Dr. Ganduje, but on the entire APC national leadership which he leads.”

He detailed how the incident unfolded:

“As everyone could see, the National Chairman was going to his car and they accosted him just to attack him. Thanks to the Nigerian Police and other security operatives who acted promptly, they prevented them from physically attacking the Chairman and stopped the situation from degenerating into total anarchy and chaos.”

Okpala expressed disappointment that such an incident occurred in full view of high-ranking officials.

“This is a dangerous precedent. This was even an occasion where state governors from the zone were in attendance. What an effrontery!” he exclaimed.

He urged political leaders across Nigeria to rein in their supporters and denounce violence.

“Political leaders should advise their followers and supporters to always show restraint and play by the rules. Politics is not about violence; it is about dialogue, lobbying, and consultations. No matter what people feel, they should control their tempers.”

In a passionate conclusion, Chief Okpala underscored the injustice of targeting a leader who has worked tirelessly for peace.

“How do you treat a man who has laboured round the clock for peace like this?” he asked. “We condemn this act in its totality. Nigeria will never be allowed to descend into such brigandage.”

“Dr. Ganduje has always worked for peace and the unity of this country, and no one should pay him back like this. No—this is unacceptable. Violence can never have a place in our polity.”