Suspected political thugs on Sunday attacked the venue of the governorship declaration organised by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State, vandalising vehicles and injuring some party members.
The attackers, reportedly armed with dangerous weapons, stormed the Bauchi PDP Secretariat during the affirmation of Hon. Usman Adamu Sufi as the faction's governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections, smashing parked buses, tearing posters and destroying billboards within and around the premises.
Eyewitnesses said the hoodlums appeared while the declaration was ongoing inside the hall and began damaging vehicles parked along the Maiduguri bypass near the party secretariat.
According to sources, no fewer than 15 buses were vandalised during the attack, while several party supporters sustained varying degrees of injuries in the chaos.
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Reacting to the development, the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction condemned the incident, describing it as unfortunate and a threat to peaceful political activities in the state.
The PDP called on Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed to ensure a peaceful political environment for all parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Bauchi on Monday, the party's Ex-Officio member, Mohammed Sabo Abubakar, alleged that unidentified thugs attacked vehicles belonging to party officials during the event.
He stated that three youths riding on a motorcycle smashed the windscreens and side windows of five vehicles before fleeing the scene.
"While the programme was ongoing, we received reports that three thugs on a motorcycle went around smashing the windscreens and side glasses of vehicles before escaping," he said.
Abubakar further alleged that after the programme, another group of hoodlums vandalised billboards at the party secretariat.
"We believe those responsible may have been sponsored by political opponents, but we are not making direct accusations against any individual or group," he added.
He warned that such incidents could heighten political tension in the state if not properly addressed.
According to him, similar acts of violence were witnessed during the 2007 and 2015 election periods when the political atmosphere became heated.
The PDP chieftain urged all political parties and their supporters to embrace peaceful conduct, stressing that political competition should not degenerate into violence and intimidation.
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"We are calling on the ruling party and Governor Bala Mohammed, as the leader of the state, to ensure that every political party is allowed to conduct its activities freely without harassment, intimidation or political thuggery," he said.
Abubakar also cautioned youths against being used as tools for violence, warning that attacks on opposition gatherings could trigger wider unrest in the state.
When contacted for reaction, the spokesperson of the Bauchi State Police Command, SP Nafiu Habib, said he would verify the incident.
However, no official statement had been issued by the command as of Tuesday.
