Security beefed up in Abuja ahead PDP convention

Security was, on Tuesday, beefed up in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs ahead today's national convention and presidential primaries of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).This is coming just as party delegates from the 36 states of the federation started trooping in to the capital city in the early hours of the day, ahead the exercise, where the party will formally elect its sole candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, for 2015 presidential election.Also, the venue of the exercise, the popular Eagle Square in Abuja, is now wearing a new look as the whole arena were decorated with PDP colours (green, white and red) with several posters and billboards of President Jonathan and other candidates aspiring for various posts dotted the arena.Nigerian Tribune also observed heavy presence of security personnel around the Eagle Square and other strategic locations, including all the entry points into the capital city.Its was gathered that by midnight, all roads leading to the Eagle Square would be shut down to traffic, as several buses had been reportedly procured which would be used to convey delegates and very important personalities (VIPs,) to the venue for security reason.It was also learnt that all vehicles would be parked about 500 metres away from the venue of the exercise, while the usual dancing and other fanfare would be resisted because of the security challenges in the country.As of the time of going to the press, almost all the hotels in Abuja and its environs up to the neighbouring Nasarawa and Niger states had been fully booked by politicians for their supporters while security personnel had also been deployed in the hotels and other recreational centres.Nigerian Tribune learnt that though today was not declared public holiday by the FCT Administration, civil servants would have to stay home since their various offices were located within the vicinity of the convention.
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