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NIGERIA-POLITICS-UNREST
Several dead in Buhari rally stampede in Nigeria
ABUJA, Feb 13, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Several people were killed Tuesday when a
stampede erupted at a campaign rally of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari
days ahead of general elections, his office said.
The president “has just been informed of the tragic deaths of several
members of his All Progressives Congress (APC) party in a stampede during a
presidential rally held in Port Harcourt in Rivers State,” it said in a
statement released late Tuesday.
Local media said panic broke out at the end of the gathering, held inside
the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, when crowds tried to force their way through
a locked exit.
“Those from behind were pushing and putting pressure on those in front
leading to some persons falling on the ground and being trampled upon,” said
journalist Egufe Yafugborhi of the Vanguard newspaper.
The incident claimed at least 14 lives, according to a spokesman for the
University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
“There are others under medical attention at the Emergency Unit, so we
can’t force a clear figure beyond what the situation is at the moment,” Kem
Daniel-Elebiga told AFP.
Saturday’s election in Africa’s most populous country will see Buhari
stand for a second four-year term against former vice-president Atiku
Abubakar in what is expected to be a close race.
In recent weeks, tensions have risen between the APC and Abubakar’s
People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP has accused the government of seeking to rig the vote while the
APC has said the opposition party is fomenting unrest.
Five people were killed during weekend clashes between supporters of the
two main political parties in the southeast, police had confirmed on Monday.
The victims, all APC members, were shot and killed on Sunday in an
apartment in Effurun, near the oil city of Warri, said Delta state police
spokesman Andrew Aniamaka.
The US, Britain and the European Union have in recent weeks publicly
warned against vote-rigging and election violence, and also expressed concern
over Buhari’s suspension of Nigeria’s top judge last month.
Nigeria’s last election in 2015 was considered free and fair, but state
and local elections as well as earlier presidential polls have been marred by
violence and fraud allegations.
Compared to that vote, international interest in Nigeria’s election has
been muted as the US administration focuses on domestic issues and Britain
wrestles with its impending exit from the EU.
A British colony until 1960, Nigeria is an ally of both countries which
are home to large Nigerian diaspora communities.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0957 hrs