APC Delegates, Journalists Tear-Gassed At Convention Entrance

Many delegates and journalists were on Friday prevented from accessing Eagle Square, venue of the ongoing 8th National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

​Many journalists were denied entry tags, leaving them stranded.

Stern-looking security operatives were stationed at strategic locations leading to the square, with some firing tear gas at delegates and journalists struggling to gain entry.

​Some delegates and journalists who spoke with our correspondent condemned what they described as the “poor arrangement” by the organisers.

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Mallam Auwal Umar, a delegate, reported that one of their colleagues fainted after being hit by tear gas.

​One journalist, who simply identified herself as Seyi, said efforts by her and her colleagues to obtain accreditation tags from the party’s Media and Publicity Committee failed.

She questioned why access to such an important event was made so difficult for both the press and delegates.

​Our correspondent reports that as of 5:30 pm, many delegates were still outside struggling to enter the venue.

​A security official at the scene told our reporter they were under strict instructions not to allow anyone without a tag into the venue.

Regarding the use of tear gas, the official, who requested anonymity, claimed that police were forced to deploy canisters whenever they felt overwhelmed by the crowd.

​Daily Trust reports that about 8,453 delegates are expected to ratify the re-election of 30 members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at the convention.

​As of the time of filing this report, delegates were still awaiting the arrival of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is expected to declare the convention open.

(Daily trust)