Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
The anticipated flag-off event for the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial campaign in Benin City, Edo State, scheduled for today, July 20, 2024, has been marred by violent clashes that erupted on Thursday.
The incident has prompted President Bola Tinubu to cancel his planned visit to the rally.
President Tinubu was initially set to attend the rally to support the APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo. However, following the outbreak of violence and the subsequent death of Inspector Okon, a police officer assigned to Senator Okpebholo, the President has opted to travel directly to Ghana for the sixth mid-year coordination meeting of the African Union.
The violent confrontation occurred when Senator Okpebholo and the impeached former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, arrived at the Benin City airport accompanied by suspected political thugs. The clash led to the fatal incident involving the police officer.
Sources within the presidency indicated that efforts were made to persuade the President to make a brief stop at the APC mega rally in Benin. However, the violent incident and the death of Inspector Okon influenced President Tinubu’s decision to forego the event. “I am aware that efforts were made to get the President to make a quick stop at Benin for the APC mega rally,” said a source. “But the fighting and especially the death of a police officer helped the President make up his mind. He will not be coming.”
Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, a prominent APC leader, reportedly reprimanded Senator Okpebholo for his involvement in the altercation with Governor Godwin Obaseki and Philip Shaibu. Oshiomhole expressed concern that Okpebholo’s association with the violent incident could jeopardize the party’s chances of securing the President’s support for his gubernatorial bid.
The unexpected arrival of Monday Okpebholo in Benin on Thursday, along with embattled former Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu, has drawn attention. The duo arrived on a chartered aircraft and were en route to the government house in the company of thugs before the fracas broke out.
The presence of Senator Okpebholo at the event was surprising to many, as he has previously been criticized for being “media shy” and for avoiding public campaigns ahead of the Edo 2024 governorship election, scheduled for September 21, 2024.
The violence and President Tinubu’s decision to skip the rally have cast a shadow over the APC’s campaign efforts in Edo State, as they strive to regain control of the governorship seat.