The police and other security operatives on Saturday clashed with pro-Buhari supporters at the Kaduna rally for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan.
It was gathered that the main bowl of the 30,000-capacity Ahmadu Bello Stadium, the venue of the rally, was half-filled.
Punch reports that when the state Governor, Mukhtar Yero, mounted the stage to read his welcome address, as soon as he shouted ‘PDP,’ a large section of the crowd chorused ‘Sai (only) Buhari.’
Also, when the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, shouted ‘Sai Nigeria,’ the crowd responded, ‘Sai Buhari.’
All the guests that spoke at the rally were greeted with the ‘Sai Buhari’ slogan.
Apparently irked by the development, security operatives, including combat-ready policemen descended on the crowd in an attempt to chase them out.
As the police kept chasing the pro-Buhari supporters out of the stadium, they kept chanting, ‘Sai Buhari’ repeatedly.
They also tore several posters of President Jonathan and his deputy in the stadium.
It was gathered that the money for the supporters were allegedly diverted by some officials of the local organising committee.
Reacting to the development, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lai Mohammed said, “It shows the popularity of Gen. Buhari. It shows that he is unstoppable.
“Chasing his supporters out of the stadium does not help the President or the PDP. It worsens their case.”
The Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibril, however dismissed insinuations of the non-acceptability of President Jonathan in northern states.
