SATURDAY, September 13 is a day that will not be forgotten in political circles especially in Minna, the Niger state capital in a hurry.By Wole Mosadomi
IT was a day the North Central zonal rally organized by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, (TAN) took place.
Supporters of the President Goodluck Agenda for 2015 from the various states in the North Central Zone – Niger, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Niger were effectively mobilized to the venue – Trade Fair Complex, for the rally.
The Collapsed pavillion
For about one week prior, Minna, the state capital had been flooded with posters, bill boards, flags mounted at strategic points along major streets in the hilly city.
As early as 7a.m on the fateful day, people from all walks of life had started trooping to the venue to get a vantage position to sit. Despite the erection of four pavilions at the venue, many people could not secure seats and they resorted to hanging at any available space. The final alternative was for part of the crowd to find their way to the VIP pavilion.
Signs of collapse: Before the arrival of the dignitaries, cultural dancers, political vendors and musicians were already at the venue entertaining the crowd.
Feelers from some early arrivals seated at the VIP pavilion indicated that each time the musicians were performing on the podium, the pavilion shook seriously but it was not enough to cause panic for those already seated.
At a point, a portion of the pavilion at the back gave way with few people collapsing with the scaffold. This should have been a warning signal to those seated but one of the contractors that erected the pavilion who rushed to the spot assured them of safety.
Vanguard reliably gathered that one of the security agents who was concerned about the unfolding event and the possible damage the collapse of the pavilion might cause had to persuade some people to vacate the pavilion at least to decongest the arena before the arrival of other people.
Nobody seemed to co-operate or comply and he left the area completely when he was harassed by some of the dignitaries on the high table.
Most of the dignitaries from the different zones came almost at the same time. It was over one hour behind schedule and the event took off with a word of prayers after which the co-ordinator of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, (TAN) Chief Udenta Udenta addressed the mammoth crowd where he reeled out the various achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan.
President, Nigerian Association of the blind, Niger state, Isah Umar took his turn at the podium and while addressing the gathering, a loud noise came from the pavilion where the VIPs were seated.
The noise was so terrifying just as the pavilion started collapsing from the back and with those seated there sinking along with the steel metals to the ground which is about 12ft high.
Many were trapped half way while some landed straight on the floor. Some were eventually rescued while still dangling half way by good Samaritans and security agents that summoned up courage to stay behind after the collapse of the pavilion. Many of those at the other pavilions and even those standing at different locations around the Trade fair Complex took to their heels, running for safety.
Within a twinkling of an eye, the important dignitaries especially at the front roll had disappeared out of the danger zone.
The dignitaries at the VIP pavilion included the Niger state governor, Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu; his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto; Deputy Governor, Sokoto state Alhaji Muktar Shehu Shagari; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.
Ministers seated at the stand included that of Information, Labaran Maku; Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ockepe; Minister of state Federal Capital Territory, Chief Olajumoke Akinjide; Agriculture, Hajiya Asmau Asabe Ahmed and former Minister of state, Power, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi.
Takeoff of the event
Similarly, former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, Senators Philip Adudu, Barnabas Gemade and Zainab Kure, newly elected Senator in Niger state, Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu and his wife Comfort Nuhu, PDP BoT member, Bola Shagaya, D.G. NAFDAC, Paul Orhii among others were also present.
The incident happened less than 10 minutes after the take-off of the event and the collapse of the pavilion led to a stampede as people ran for safety and thus bringing the rally to an abrupt end. However, few minutes later, the personalities resurfaced after rescue operations of those trapped and injured had been completed.
Resumption of rally: The rally eventually resumed with most of the dignitaries in attendance. It was a courage summoned up by the big wigs to convince Nigerians that all was well at the rally.
Addressing the rally, the host governor and Chairman Northern state Governors Forum, Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu called on the people not to panic pointing out that the incident was a sign of victory for President Jonathan at the 2015 polls.
He said though the country especially parts of the North are passing through some challenges, he assured that these challenges especially insecurity would soon be over.
He said he was satisfied with the way President Jonathan was handling the security situation and therefore called on all Nigerians to join hands with the president to fight the common enemy to a stand still because “security is not only the responsibility of the government; it is the responsibility of all Nigerians.”
Senator Anyim in his address said he had come in his personal capacity to receive the register containing the signatories of people from the zone who are in support of President Jonathan contesting next year’s election.
He said so far, over two million signatures have been collected at the North Central zonal rally for the president to contest the 2015 presidential election.
A breakdown according to him shows that Niger had 310,767 signatures, Plateau, 308,610 Benue, 103,6941, FCT, 101,377, Kogi, 100,948, Kwara, 101,060, Nasarawa, 100,429.
Health condition of the governor’s wife
Wife of the Niger state governor, Hajiya Jummai Aliyu was part of the dignitaries seated at the front seat of the pavilion before it collapsed. The panic experienced due to the sudden collapse shocked many of them including the first lady.
While reports spread that she was seriously injured, she was seen with her husband, Dr. Aliyu few hours after the incident visiting some injured victims at some hospitals in Minna.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Israel Ebije in a press statement said the wife of the governor was not in any way injured.
The Minna TAN rally
“My wife is unhurt I read in some Newspapers that my wife was “badly injured” and I wonder where all that was coming from. Let me therefore make it categorically clear that she was not injured. After the rally, we were together to visit victims at the Hospital,” governor Aliyu declared through his press secretary.
Expertise and experience
He said the clarification became necessary in order to tell Nigerians the true position of his wife’s health on account of several calls across the country by well wishers who were demanding to know how she was faring.
The governor explained that no death was recoded. He also defended the organizers of the rally (TAN) over the collapsed pavilion saying, “despite the expertise and experience, some incidents cannot be avoided and from all indications, the scaffold might have yielded to weight on account of the surging crowd.”
After the incident, 28 causalities were rushed to different hospitals ;13 were rushed to the IBB specialist Hospital Minna, 11 to General Hospital, Minna, three to Bay Clinic Private Hospital and one to Top Medical Hospital.
Besides, 11 others who sustained serious injuries were said to have been rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja but were later transferred to an Indian private Hospital for more intensive care.
Governor Aliyu, his wife and other top government functionaries visited the casualties at the hospitals shortly after the rally to commiserate with them. He promised that government will pick their medical bills.