A rally organised on Saturday by the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, turned into a battle field as supporters of the party’s governorship candidate, Hope Uzodinma, and those of his Action Alliance, AA, counterpart, Uche Nwosu, engaged in a fight.
It was a women and youths rally.
Security operatives, however, intervened, shooting sporadically in the air while cordoning off the VIP stand where Wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo, who represented Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha, was seated alongside other dignitaries.
At least three persons were injured in the ensuing stampede as the crowd dispersed following the gunshots.
Trouble began when supporters of Nwosu came to the venue of the rally chanting victory songs and raising his posters in the air.
Reacting to the incident, however, Gov. Rochas Okorocha alleged that the fight was caused by thugs hired by Uzodinma.
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Okorocha, who is Nwosu father in-law described the relationship between AA and APC in the state as good, even as he contended that Uzodinma would not win the governorship election.
He said, “Hope Uzodinma can never win the governorship election in the state. The alliance between AA and APC is a perfect one.
“We are working to deliver President Buhari and Uche Nwosu in the state.”
Recall that Okorocha had attempted to impose his son in-law on the APC as his successor, but the plan was rebuffed by the party, Nwosu joined the AA to pursue his governorship ambitions.
Mrs Osinbajo in her remarks, however,urged the crowd to vote for Buhari and APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.