Chaos erupted in Bauchi on Tuesday as suspected political thugs invaded the secretariat of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attacking supporters, vandalising vehicles and destroying campaign materials during a political gathering.
The hoodlums, said to be armed with dangerous weapons, stormed the venue along the Maiduguri bypass while members of the Peoples Democratic Party faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed were affirming Hon. Usman Adamu Sufi as governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers targeted vehicles parked outside the premises and destroyed billboards and posters within and around the secretariat.
Initial reports claimed that about 15 buses were damaged during the attack, although faction officials later confirmed that at least five vehicles had their windscreens and side windows shattered by three youths riding on a motorcycle.
Several party supporters reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries as panic and confusion engulfed the area.
Addressing journalists after the incident, the faction’s Ex-Officio member, Mohammed Sabo Abubakar, condemned the attack, describing it as a dangerous threat to peaceful political activities in the state.
“We believe those responsible may have been sponsored by political opponents, but we are not making direct accusations against any individual or group,” Abubakar said.
He warned that political thuggery, if unchecked, could drag the state into widespread unrest similar to the violence witnessed during the 2007 and 2015 election periods.
Abubakar also advised youths against allowing themselves to be used by politicians to foment violence and intimidation.
The faction called on Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and the state government to ensure a safe and fair political environment as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
“As the leader of the state, the Governor has the powers to guarantee a secure, fair and harassment-free political environment for all political groups,” he said.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Bauchi State Police Command, SP Nafiu Habib, said he would verify details of the incident. The command had yet to issue an official statement at the time of filing this report.
