Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, was targeted with a shoe-like object while delivering a speech at an All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Lafia, in an incident that added to the tension surrounding the party’s mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The incident happened on Wednesday, November 4, at Lafia Square, where Vice-President Kashim Shettima, APC governors and other party leaders had gathered to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu and the party’s candidates.
A video circulating on social media shows an object believed to be a shoe sole being thrown from the crowd towards the podium while Sule was speaking. Reports indicate that the object struck the governor, while one of his security aides quickly picked it up.
The circumstances surrounding the incident and the identity of the person who threw the object had not been officially established at the time of reporting.
The incident occurred amid a wider disruption at the rally, where rival political supporters reportedly clashed, forcing organisers to cut short the event.
According to reports, some youths dressed in APC regalia began chanting slogans in support of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu. Their actions reportedly triggered confrontations with security operatives and supporters of the APC governorship candidate, Senator Ahmed Wadada.
Security personnel later fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Premium Times reported that at least 40 people were injured, while several others were reported missing following the violence.
Vice-President Shettima had attended the event on behalf of President Tinubu. His convoy was also reportedly obstructed during a visit to the Emir of Lafia.
Following the disruption, Governor Sule ordered an investigation into the conduct of security agencies and anyone suspected of planning or participating in the violence.
Speaking during an expanded State Executive Council meeting on Thursday, November 5, the governor questioned why tear gas was deployed around the podium and insisted that investigators should identify not only those who carried out the disturbances but also anyone who allegedly sponsored or organised them.
Sule described the incident as embarrassing, particularly because the Vice-President was present at the rally.
The state government had earlier called for a security investigation into the disturbances and alleged that some prominent political figures might have been linked to the incident. Those allegations have not been independently established.
The development has raised concerns about political tensions and security arrangements as parties begin preparations for the 2027 elections.