Tension erupted in Abuja on Friday as journalists scrambled for accreditation tags ahead of the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with chaotic scenes reported at the venue.
The incident occurred at the Kano Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, where over 100 journalists — both accredited and non-accredited — converged in a desperate bid to secure access to cover the high-profile political gathering.
Scarcity of Tags Sparks Outrage
Trouble reportedly began when officials in charge of accreditation announced that only a limited number of tags were available.
According to sources, most of the tags allocated for APC correspondents had already been distributed, leaving many journalists stranded and unable to gain entry.
The development triggered widespread frustration, with media practitioners accusing organisers of poor planning and lack of transparency in the accreditation process.
Heated Exchanges, Security Intervention
Eyewitnesses said the situation quickly escalated into heated arguments, with journalists jostling and pushing to secure the remaining tags amid fears of being shut out of the event.
As tensions rose, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force were deployed to the scene to restore order and prevent further escalation.
Their presence helped to calm the situation, though the atmosphere remained tense.
Calls for Better Organisation
The incident has sparked criticism from affected journalists, many of whom are calling on APC organisers to improve coordination and ensure a fair, transparent accreditation process at future events.
As of the time of filing this report, APC officials had yet to release an official statement addressing the disruption.
The convention, a key political event, is expected to draw party leaders, delegates, and stakeholders from across the country.
