Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Reports from the 8th National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Eagle Square in Abuja indicate that tear gas was deployed by security personnel on Friday night, March 28, 2026, causing panic, injuries, and widespread distress among delegates, journalists, and supporters trying to enter the party’s national event. The incident has reignited debate about political event security and the treatment of ordinary citizens involved in democratic processes.
Eyewitness accounts and interviews with participants at the site describe a scene of confusion and fear as security forces, including police and other uniformed personnel, discharged tear gas near key access points to the venue. Many of those affected were accredited delegates and media professionals who had gathered to participate in or cover the party’s internal proceedings, only to find themselves struggling to breathe, retreating from advancing clouds of gas, or forced to seek shelter and safety amid dense crowds.
One delegate from Taraba State said he had displayed his valid accreditation badge but was nonetheless pushed back and hit with tear gas as he attempted to gain entry. He described the experience as inhumane and unjustified, saying the treatment of participants — many of whom had travelled long distances — showed a lack of respect for citizens engaging in political life.
Journalists covering the event reported that movement was severely restricted by cordons of security personnel, forcing some to walk long distances to escape the gas or to find alternate routes into the venue. One reporter recounted the tense atmosphere near the Federal Ministry of Finance entrance, saying that a security officer had threatened to open fire on people attempting to gain access, further heightening anxiety among the crowd.
Visual evidence circulating on social media, including videos and photos from the scene, shows groups of APC supporters — some visibly distressed and clutching their faces — fleeing from the areas where gas was deployed. In several clips, people can be seen gasping for air, shielding their eyes, or lying on the ground momentarily to avoid exposure as they made their way away from the thickening tear-gas plumes.
A human rights lawyer based in Abuja publicly criticised the situation, alleging that supporters who had spent significant time, effort, and their own money to attend the national convention were mistreated. He noted that many had arrived in the nation’s capital days earlier due to travel logistics, with some reportedly sleeping in mosques or on streets because of lack of accommodation, only to be tear-gassed at the point of entry. His comments have sparked a wider conversation online about the welfare and dignity of political participants in Nigeria.
Among those affected were not only local party members and supporters, but journalists — both local and national — whose presence was critical to reporting on what is traditionally a major event on Nigeria’s political calendar. The disruption of media access and the fear reported by correspondents have raised concerns about press freedom and safety at high-profile political events.
As of this report, neither the APC leadership nor security agencies have issued a comprehensive official statement explaining who authorised the use of tear gas or the rationale behind it. The party’s convention, scheduled to bring together leaders and representatives from across Nigeria, is a significant organisational event ahead of upcoming elections, and the emergence of these operational challenges at the venue has drawn criticism from political commentators and civic groups alike.
Public reaction has been mixed. Some observers have condemned the deployment of tear gas as disproportionate and damaging to democratic participation, arguing that political activities should be conducted in ways that protect citizens’ rights and safety. Others have called for clearer communication from authorities about crowd management decisions, particularly at mass political gatherings where emotions and expectations run high.
The incident highlights broader tensions within Nigerian politics, where party events and national debates often unfold amid deep public scrutiny and occasional logistical frictions. How party leadership responds in the coming days — both in terms of clarifying the circumstances and addressing grievances from affected delegates and the public — may influence perceptions of internal party unity and organisational credibility as Nigeria moves closer to its next electoral cycle.
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