By Ade Oyeyemi
A celebration to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day was reportedly disrupted in Abuja after a confrontation broke out between youths and individuals accused of attempting to turn the event into a campaign gathering for President Bola Tinubu.
The incident occurred at Triple R Monoliza Park, Abuja, during an Independence Day festival held to mark Nigeria’s 66th anniversary.
A video circulating on social media showed a group of youths confronting and chasing some individuals said to have been involved in the alleged political mobilisation at the event.
The footage also showed some of the people being pursued and assaulted during the confrontation, while chairs and other event equipment were reportedly damaged in the process.
According to reports surrounding the incident, the youths objected to attempts to introduce campaign activities into the Independence Day celebration.
However, details surrounding what triggered the confrontation and the identities or affiliations of those involved could not be independently established from the video.
The Abuja incident came days after a separate Independence Day event in Warri, Delta State, where some youths reportedly tore branded polo shirts bearing Tinubu’s image during a five-kilometre Independence Day run.
The youths were also reported to have chanted in support of Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate and leader of the opposition coalition.
The developments have continued to generate reactions on social media, particularly over the involvement of political branding and campaign-related activities at public celebrations marking the country’s Independence Day.
