Free-for-all at PDP convention

The Special National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday was almost marred by a free-for-all between the supporters of Andy Uba and Tony Nwoye, the two aspirants laying claim to the party’s governorship ticket in the November 16, 2013 Anambra State gubernatorial election.
The Ubas, Andy and Chris, were early birds at the venue of the convention, Eagle Square, and, therefore, occupied the space designated for delegates from Anambra State.
Also seated with the two brothers at the stand was the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah.
The atmosphere at the convention ground was peaceful as all delegates awaited the arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan.
All of a sudden, all eyes shifted to the Anambra State stand because of the noise coming out from that angle. Trouble broke out when Tony Nwoye arrived the venue and found out that the Anambra State stand had been occupied by Andy Uba and his supporters.
As Nwoye was searching for a seat, his supporters could no longer bear the humiliation and threw caution to the wind. They went straight to Andy Uba and demanded to know why he occupied the seat reserved for their representative, Nwoye.
The Nwoye group also argued that since Uba is on suspension, he was not supposed to show up at the convention and therefore demanded that he vacates the seat.
At this point, pandemonium broke out as the supporters of the two gladiators started exchanging punches and blows.
Embarrassed by the development, security aides tactically moved Oduah out of the scene shortly before exchange of blows.
When the situation was getting out of control, large number of security personnel had to be mobilised to the scene to restore order.
As President Jonathan entered the venue, order was restored and Nwoye was given a seat not far from his rival, Andy Uba.