The speech of Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) on Thursday was preceded by demonstrations from two sets of people – one in support of his presidential ambition, the other against it.
Those opposed to Buhari, comprising mainly young men, carried placards which read: “Buhari belongs to the past”, “The past can’t belong to our children today”, “A dictator hiding behind a pastor cannot be a democrat”.
They all wore branded shirts with the inscription, “DIASPORA SAY NO TO TYRANTS”.
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Loyalists of the APC presidential candidate also staged a demonstration in his favour, holding placards, one of which bore the inscription: “Buhari will fight corruption.”
The groups maintained some distance from the venue of Buhari’s presentation on ‘Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition’.
The event was chaired by Richard Gozney, a former British high commissioner to Nigeria.
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Earlier on Wednesday, APC had alleged that Femi Fani-Kayode, director of media and publicity for the PDP presidential campaign, hired some people to stage a protest against Buhari.
But Fani-Kayode denied the allegation on Thursday via his Twitter handle, @realFFK, saying: “My attention has been drawn to a story that I am renting a crowd to embarrass Gen. Buhari at Chatham House later today. It is a lie.”
5 comments
The anti Buharis confessed that they were paid to pretest at the venue
Oh. They confessed to you in your bedroom?
No amount of propaganda will stop the forces of change. GMB all the way.
It’s not the fault of the poor hired anti GMB protesters, 20 pounds means a lot to them over there. That’s the effect of crazy in travelling abroad at all cost not minding the outcome. To come back home now has become a problem that’s why they can do anything for money.
Na wa. I wonder who will come and protest for nothing under that rain this morning. Well at the end of the day its up to Nigerians to choose. As the General said this morning, I hope Nigerians will choose wisely.