Fresh controversy has erupted in Gwagwalada Area Council following the circulation of images and videos allegedly showing supporters of the APC chairmanship candidate, Hon. Usman Yahaya, moving through Zuba during a campaign procession while carrying sticks and cutlasses.
The development has ignited widespread public anxiety, with many residents questioning the safety of voters and the tone of the forthcoming elections if campaign activities already appear violent and intimidating.
Fueling the outrage is a Facebook post by Usman Abdullahi Babalado, which has gone viral and intensified the debate. In the post, Babalado juxtaposed images from the Zuba campaign with those of armed bandits operating in Zamfara State, writing:
“Spot the difference here…
- Usman Yahaya, Abugiri & Abdul Malik — bandits in Zuba yesterday.
- Zamfara bandits in Kaura Namoda yesterday.
Is this what you want in Gwagwalada Area Council?
InshaAllah, Usman Yahaya will never happen in Gwagwalada Area Council.”
While supporters of Hon. Yahaya have dismissed the claims as politically motivated exaggerations, critics insist that the presence of youths wielding dangerous weapons at a political campaign sends a troubling signal and undermines public confidence in a peaceful electoral process.
Civil society voices and concerned residents are now calling on security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and political parties to urgently address the situation, warning that normalising such scenes could set a dangerous precedent for election-related violence in Gwagwalada.
As the election draws closer, the incident has become a flashpoint in local political discourse, with one central question dominating conversations across the area council: if campaigns already look this rough, how safe will election day be?