Ex-governor Babangida Aliyu booed, stoned at swearing-in ceremony of new governor

dimeji akinloye

May 30, 2015 1:10 PM

The angry crowd shouted repeatedly, ‘Barawo’, ‘thief’, ‘ole’, ‘change has come’, ‘your time has gone,” as Aliyu attempted to read his farewell speech.

Former governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, handed over power on Friday, was on Friday, May 29, stoned and booed at the swearing-in ceremony of a new government in Minna.

Aliyu, who arrived at the venue, Kontagora Memorial Stadium at about 10.15am was booed by the crowd as he walked to the podium. As he attempted to read his farewell speech, the crowd shouted repeatedly, ‘Barawo’, ‘thief’, ‘ole’, ‘change has come’, ‘your time has gone,” filled the air.

He was however not able to give his speech.

It was gathered that the angry audience stop at that, as they hauled stones and sachet water at him. This necessitated the presence of military men from 31 Artillery Brigade at the stadium to fish out the perpetrators.

Shortly after the new governor , Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello and his Deputy, Alhaji Mohammed Ketso were administered the oath of office, Aliyu was reportedly smuggled out of the stadium amidst tight security led by the state Commissioner of Police to avoid being mobbed by the crowd.

dimeji akinloye