Scene of the riot in Abuja today. Photo: The Nation

The All Progressives Congress began a  meeting in Abuja today, towards forging some peaceful resolution of the political impasse in Kogi state,  generated by the sudden death of the party’s governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, who was leading the incumbent, Idris Wada by 41,000 votes.

A supplementary poll is scheduled for Saturday 5 December.

Attending the meeting are Alhaji Yahaya Bello, James Abiodun Faleke, Nasir el-Rufai who was chairman of the panel that conducted the Kogi governorship primary of the party, Senator Dino Melaye, Senator Mohammed Okhiare among other APC leaders from Kogi state.

The meeting scheduled to begin by 10 a.m today did not begin until 4pm, according to a report by The Nation, the delay partly caused riotousness of supporters of the two claimants to the Audu governorship ticket: Alhaji Yahaya Bello and James Abiodun Faleke.

Using sticks and stones, the supporters reportedly  tore at each other at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. The policemen on ground were said to be helpless in curtailing the rioters.

Kaduna state governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai who arrived the secretariat about the time the supporters were beginning to go violent had to abandon his car at the gate and enter the secretariat on foot, The Nation reported.

The rioters in action at the APC secretariat Abuja. TheNation Photo

A few seconds later, James Faleke arrived the scene, sparking off the fight between the supporters who started throwing stones at each other, while others carrying sticks started chasing after each other.

Bello had arrived the APC secretariat with his supporters at about 2.45pm and immediately went into the office of the National Secretary, while his supporters practically blocked the gate of the secretariat chanting Sai Yahaya Bello and carrying placard.

An elderly man wearing blue brocade with cap to match was seen calling some of the rioters who were running away from the scene to return while some of the police men had to take cover to avoid being hit with the stones.

A detachment of heavily armed Mobile policemen had to be drafted to the APC secretariat to bring the situation under control.