Gunshots as violence breaks out at APC congress in Niger

Gunshots were fired for about 30 minutes Saturday night in Lapai Local Government area of Niger State, as the Congress of the All Progressives Congress turned violent.

A source reported hearing gunshots for up to half an hour around midnight on Saturday.

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“But we don’t know if anyone was shot,” he said.

Sources have told Daily Trust that violence broke out between two factions of the APC in the area—one in support of Abubakar Magaji, the other for education commissioner Hannatu Salihu.

Another source said a contender for the chairmanship, identified Achitukpa, was beaten by members of the rival faction after he was caught thumbprinting ballots in the back of the secretariat.

Also in Gbako and Agaie Local Government areas, fights broke out midway to the end of the congress.

A delegate from Agaie told Daily Trust that there were cases of vote buying, leading to fights between supporters.

“Delegates were given between N10,000 and N20,000 by contestants to vote for them which led to fights among supporters,” he said.

In Gbako, delegates from Etsu-Audu ward could not cast their vote following the crisis that rocked the congress midway.

“Supporters were engaged in physical fights. Delegates from Etsu Audu couldn’t vote,” one source said.

The Chairman, Niger State APC Congress Committee, Senator Domigo Obende in a statement called on party members to shun violence of any form during congress.

The areas where violence marred voting are to have their congresses concluded on Sunday.