It rained stones, bottles, hammer and other dangerous articles on Thursday as the campaign train of President Goodluck Jonathan came under attack in Bauchi.
Venue was the Ibrahim Babangida Square. Cause of the violence was not immediately known.
Although security operatives managed to beat back the thugs, vehicles, chairs and canopies were vandalised.
The Police Public Relations Officers [PPRO], Bauchi State, Haruna Muhammed, confirmed the violence.
Among the worst hit was FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, who was pelted with bottled and sachet water while he was making his speech and pleading with the people of the state to vote for and support Jonathan and the PDP during next month’s general elections.
Mohammed called on the President and other dignitaries to ignore the ugly turn of events, alleging that it was the handwork of the opposition.
“Fellow supporters of PDP, lets ignore what is happening. This is politics. It is the handwork of those who are bent on destroying politics in Nigeria,” he added.
When he shouted, “Nigeria”, the crowd shouted back “sai Buhari”, “sai Baba Buhari”.
Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, watched helplessly as the youths went on rampage.
Earlier in his address at the rally, President Goodluck Jonathan had accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of instigating Nigerians against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He challenged the APC to enumerate its achievements, and not seek cheap popularity.
He said that PDP stands for peace and that no retrogressive force can put the party behind.
While cautioning the youths against acts of violence during and after the election, Jonathan said if re-elected, he will invest in youth empowerment through micro small scale enterprise, agriculture and education.
Vice-President Namadi Sambo later cautioned politicians not to use religion and ethnicity to divide Nigerians, stressing that Jonathan had no hatred whatsoever towards northerners, contrary to the falsehood being peddled by some politicians in the North.
“These politicians trying to use religion and ethnicity to divide Nigerians must stop. People are fabricating falsehood that Jonathan is discriminating against the North. I believe in equity and I don’t cheat people, I always ensure that projects are distributed equally across the country,” he said.
Jonathan’s campaign train was also attacked in Katsina on Tuesday.
