Edo State Government yesterday averted what would have led to a bloody clash between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the use of the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and wife of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha, were billed to address political rallies at the stadium on Saturday, March 14, same time.
The mix-up, which reportedly emanated from the state Ministry of Youth and Sports, yesterday claimed its first casualty, following the compulsory retirement of its Permanent Secretary, Mr. Samuel Obaze Uhunmwangho from service by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
A statement issued by the Press Secretary to the governor, Peter Okhiria, however, said Uhunmwangho was retired “allegedly for withholding information crucial to the interest of the government and the general public”.
The Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, had while briefing journalists yesterday, announced that Mrs. Jonathan would visit the Oba’s Palace before proceeding to the stadium to address women and party faithful.
He displayed a letter from the state government approving the use of the stadium for the PDP rally, saying the party has paid N1,050,000 to the State Internal Revenue Services for the use of the stadium.
“We shall receive the First Lady at the stadium. We have concluded all plans to give her a wonderful recep
tion. She has been a pillar of support to Mr. President,” Orbih said.
Reacting to the development, the state government said the mix-up was occasioned by the alleged laxity of the officials of the ministry’s who, without reference to their supervisors, proceeded to collect money and issue a receipt on Tuesday to PDP for use of the stadium.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Louis Odion, said the ministry’s officials were aware that the APC had last week applied and received approval for the use of same facility this Saturday.
“In fact, jingles were already running on local televi¬sion and radio stations announcing that the wife of APC presidential candidate would be in Benin that day to de¬liver the message of change to Edo women.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state that be¬ing the owner of the said facility, Edo State Government reserves the right to insist that the party that got approval first would use the stadium.
“But we are civilized people. In deference to the office of the First Lady of Nigeria, Comrade Adams Oshiom¬hole has graciously directed that Mrs. Jonathan have her day on Saturday, while the wife of the APC presidential candidate will have her turn another day”, Odion said.
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