Fatal Journeys: Party Loyalists’ Quest To Fulfil Social Duties Ends In Tragedy

What was meant to showcase unity at the APC National Convention in Abuja turned into a tragic chapter marked by loss and grief. In this report, ADEMU IDAKWO captures how a political gathering left behind a trail of deaths across states and in the nation’s capital.

The All Progressives Congress National Convention 2022 in Abuja was meant to signal political strength and unity for Nigeria’s ruling party. Instead, it left behind a string of deaths cutting across states and circumstances, highway crashes, injured survivors, and ultimately, a shocking incident in the heart of the capital.

In Kebbi State, tragedy struck early. Three delegates travelling to Abuja as part of the state’s contingent lost their lives in a fatal road accident. They were party loyalists and grassroots mobilisers whose journey to a national assignment ended abruptly. The Kebbi State Government, in a condolence message issued on behalf of Governor Nasir Idris, described the deaths as “tragic and deeply painful,” noting that the victims died in active service to the party and the democratic process.

The statement extended sympathies to the families of the deceased and to the APC in the state, adding that their contributions would not be forgotten. Within the party, voices of grief reflected the human toll of the loss. A party stalwart, Alhaji Sani Dododo, described the incident as “a devastating blow,” noting that the victims were among those who had worked tirelessly to sustain the party at the grassroots. “These are people we knew closely. Their absence will be deeply felt,” he said.

In Benue State, a similar tragedy unfolded. Three delegates from Ogbadibo Local Government Area died when their vehicle veered off the road while travelling for convention-related activities, leaving several others injured. The Benue APC chapter described the incident as “a painful and shocking loss,” particularly because the victims were active grassroots members. Party officials noted that their deaths had created a vacuum within the local structure, as they were instrumental in mobilising support at the community level.

Reacting, the state party leadership, including the Benue State APC Chairman, Austin Agada, lamented the loss, stating that “the party has lost committed members whose dedication cannot be easily replaced.” Among residents and party faithful in Ogbadibo, the grief was immediate and deeply personal. A local member, Terhemen Ugbede, said the community was still in shock. “We expected them to return from Abuja safely. Instead, we are mourning them. It is painful,” he said.

In Plateau State, delegates travelling along the Jos–Abuja road were also involved in an accident, sustaining injuries. Though no fatalities were officially recorded, the incident reinforced growing concerns about the risks tied to long-distance political travel. A party official, Hon. Letep Dabang, urged caution, stressing that “no political activity should come at the cost of lives.”

Across the affected states, reactions followed a similar pattern: official condolence messages, quiet grief, and a growing sense that many of the tragedies might have been avoided with better planning and coordination.

In an interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend, APC chieftain and House of Representatives aspirant for Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela-Odolu and Ofu Federal Constituency, Victor Onuche Alor, called on the national leadership of the party to compensate the families of the deceased.

Alor said the APC must find a way to support the loved ones of the victims, many of whom have been left without breadwinners and close family members.

“Condolence messages are not enough. We should set up an endowment fund to reach the families and save them from financial agony resulting from the death of their breadwinners. This will go a long way in reducing the pain of losing a father or brother,” he advised.

Then came the incident that shifted attention back to Abuja. A Kano-based APC chieftain, Barrister Abdulsalami Ginsau, who had just been elected State Assistant Organising Secretary, died under shocking circumstances in a hotel in the Utako area. Investigations by the Nigeria Police Force revealed that Ginsau fell into an open elevator shaft after the lift malfunctioned, a situation linked to the heavy strain placed on the facility by an overwhelming number of delegates.

The hotel, like many in Abuja during the convention, had been stretched beyond its limits. Elevators were reportedly overloaded, safety instructions ignored, and facilities pushed to the brink. Unaware of the danger, Ginsau stepped out in the early hours and approached the elevator.

The lift was stationed on another floor, leaving the shaft exposed. He fell into it in what investigators described as a tragic but avoidable incident.

His death drew emotional reactions from party members in Kano State. Malam Kabiru Alhassan Rurum described the loss as “deeply painful,” noting that Ginsau was a committed member whose contributions to the party were significant. Another member, Aisha Bello, struggled to come to terms with the circumstances. “To survive the journey and then lose his life like this, it is heartbreaking,” she said.

Further findings indicated that some individuals nearby may have witnessed the fall but did not immediately alert authorities, raising concerns about delayed emergency response. Hotel management has since expressed regret, acknowledging that the facility had been overstretched, while pledging to review safety procedures. Police say investigations are ongoing.

From Kebbi to Benue, Plateau to Abuja, the convention left behind more than political outcomes. It left grief in its wake, families mourning, communities shaken, and a party forced to confront the human cost of its mobilisation. For many, the journey to participate in a defining political moment ended in loss, and long after the convention fades from the headlines, the memories of those who never returned will remain.