There was pandemonium this morning at the Minna Trade Fair Complex on Saturday as the venue's VIP seating area collapsed during a political rally organized by the Transformation Ambassador of Nigeria (TAN) to campaign for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The venue was packed to the brim and dignitaries were seated when the platform constructed to sit top government officials and chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party suddenly caved in, trapping a few of those already seated.
The development sparked panic across the venue with several people scampering for safety. Some people were so scared that they began to hurry out of the venue in droves.
PREMIUM TIMES later learnt that a number of people, including top government officials, were injured and rushed to hospital.
When the exodus from the venue threatened to truncate the rally, the host governor, Babangida Aliyu, rushed to the microphone to appeal to the crowd not to leave as the situation had been brought under control.
The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Gabriel Aduda, also rushed to the stage to blame the incidence on the devil and opponents of Mr. Jonathan's administration.
Mr. Aduda said, "Whatever happened here, the devil is a liar. No weapon fashioned against us and Jonathan shall succeed. What happened was because the crowd was too much."
After a short break, the rally however continued after an alternative seating area was found for important dignitaries. Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said the rally was organized to celebrate Mr. Jonathan, who he described as one of Nigeria's best presidents. Mr. Maku said it was only after he completes another four-year tenure that the presidency would switch back to the North of Nigeria.
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