What was meant to be a strategic high-level coalition meeting involving Nigeria’s top political heavyweights — former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi — turned chaotic on Monday after a heated standoff with delegates from Jigawa State.
Held at the Abuja Continental Hotel and convened by the National Political Consultative Group (North), the meeting descended into disorder when former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, announced a delegate to speak for Jigawa.
In swift protest, irate Jigawa delegates stormed the stage, physically blocking the named speaker and shouting that they would not accept representation by individuals they did not endorse. The situation spiraled as delegates clashed over legitimacy and inclusion.
Security operatives — including members of the Nigerian Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and private security personnel — immediately sprang into action, forming a tight ring around prominent attendees like Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi to prevent any harm or further escalation.
After several tense minutes and fervent appeals from the organizers, calm was finally restored. A compromise was reached with the selection of Mustapha Lamido — son of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido — and another delegate to represent the state in the coalition discussions.
The dramatic altercation casts fresh doubts over the fragile alliance being brokered among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections. It also underscores the deep regional divisions and unresolved political grievances that could threaten the viability of any so-called "mega coalition" against the ruling party.
