At least 100 members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were trapped at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Jos, the capital of Plateau state, shortly after the party’s presidential campaign rally in the state ended on Tuesday.
Among those stranded was his Umar Bature, PDP National Organization Secretary. Security personnel and journalists working directly with PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar were also stranded.
Atiku and his PDP Presidential Electoral Council (PCC) were said to have been escorted to the airport shortly after the rally. About 30 minutes later, the PDP candidate and some party officials reportedly boarded and left the state. Shortly thereafter, however, the signal at the airport tower went out. It was discovered that the aircraft attempting to land failed to land and had to turn back.
Airport officials explained that staff had instructed them to close the facility at exactly 5:00 am.
30:00 p.m., claiming Democrats did not ask for an extension.
Some of his PDP members argued this could be politically motivated, with PDP member Judge Abraham accusing the All Progressive Congress (APC) of ordering the airport to close. .
However, three hours later the tower signal returned. Two planes arrived at the airport to take the stranded passengers to Abuja.