Overzealous supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari and those of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Sunday engaged in a shouting match at the Ilorin International Airport, exposing the bitter political division in Kwara State, one of Nigeria’s oldest states.
Supporters loyal to President Buhari had reportedly gone to welcome Mr. Moddibo Kawu, a Kwara State governorship aspirant, and a Labour Party governorship aspirant in the state, Mr Issa Aremu when they met Peoples Democratic Party supporters, who were there to welcome the senate president.
As female supporters of Saraki began singing and dancing in praise of Saraki, Buhari supporters, mainly youths, replied by shouting Sai Baba. They shouted loudly as they raised their brooms, while Saraki supporters, especially women, sang louder in their bid to out-shout their opponents.
This caused tension and airport security oficials had to intervene to restore order; some elders from both sides also tried to call “warring” supporters to order.
Meanwhile, Kawu and Aremu, whose aircraft had landed, waited for some time at the arrival hall to allow the tension evaporate before they were later driven off in their vehicles.
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