In some quarters, it is deemed that President Muhammadu Buhari deliberately stayed away from the All Progressives Congress (APC) grand rally in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The ruling party held a grand rally on Saturday, ahead of the November 21 governorship election in the state.

Neither the President nor Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, were present at the rally, which held at the Lokoja International Stadium.

According to political tradition, President Buhari was expected to formally present Audu Abubakar to the voters, by raising his hand at the rally.

The rally was initially scheduled for Saturday, October 24, but was pushed-forward at the behest of the President.

For those who suggest that Buhari’s absence was premeditated, they believe that he doesn’t want to be seen associating with the party’s candidate, Prince Audu Abubakar.

A section of APC members opine that the President intentionally failed to turn up, due to Abubakar’s lingering case at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Reacting to Buhari’s absence, a group known as Kogi APC stakeholders, speaking through Elder Okpanachi Ameh Obulo, accused Buhari of ‘premeditated retributive boycott’.

“We know our President as the father of all will not give a listening ear to sycophants and fifth columnists desperately trying to force him down the path of vendetta.”

“But we are a bit apprehensive over some conflicting signals that tend to validate the speculations that there are scores to settle in high places. The most recent was the cancellation of the grand rally planned for last Saturday in Lokoja.”

“Mr. President was not able to attend and perform his traditional role of presenting the candidate to the electorate. There were reports in the media alleging that the absence of Mr. President was actually a premeditated retributive boycott”.