Tension rocked Kaduna town on Saturday when a group of alleged government-backed thugs violently disrupted a transition meeting between the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), leaving several persons injured and properties destroyed.
The meeting, which held at the Conference Hall of NUT Endwell in Magadishu Layout, was reportedly convened under the leadership of former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, who is steering the coalition of the two opposition parties.
Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that the thugs stormed the hall in the presence of armed policemen who had earlier been deployed to prevent the gathering. Several participants sustained severe injuries, while the windscreens of vehicles — including one belonging to El-Rufai — were smashed. Parts of the conference hall, including its windows, were also vandalised.
Sources within the coalition further alleged that the state government had earlier pressured event centres across the city to cancel bookings by the opposition parties before the NUT Endwell hall was eventually secured for the meeting.
“This incident clearly signals the bloody politics that lies ahead in Kaduna, particularly as the rivalry deepens between El-Rufai and his former protégé, Governor Uba Sani,” one participant said.
According to insiders, the thugs were mobilised by some government officials and led by a Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Hon. Babaji, with the aim of disrupting the opposition’s transitional deliberations.
SaharaReporters obtained photos of injured participants as well as a video capturing the moment the thugs invaded the venue.
The attack underscores the escalating political tension in Kaduna State, raising fears of heightened clashes as the state moves further into a volatile political season.
