Hundreds of persons, including members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and market women, among others, were on Friday denied access to the Edo State Government House during the celebration of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s victory at the Supreme Court.
The supporters of the party were reportedly barred from entering the Government House by security operatives who said they were acting on instructions.
Recall that the Supreme Court had on Thursday validated the decisions of the lower courts, the Election Petition Tribunal and the Court Appeal, which upheld Okpebholo as the winner of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
As a result of the judgment, members and supporters of the APC, as well as market women and youths, gathered at the Benin Airport as early as 7:00 am to give the governor a rousing welcome.
The jubilant supporters were still at the airport at about 12.40 pm when the governor’s aircraft touched down.
Following the euphoria of the victory, the supporters, many of whom were not mobile, proceeded on foot in a road procession with Okpebholo’s convoy, chanting solidarity songs.
The procession, which lasted for about an hour, terminated at the Edo State Government House.
The supporters were, however, stunned when they were prevented by security operatives from going into the Edo State Government House with the governor.
The bewildered supporters took turns to lament the development, with many raining insults on the authorities.
One of the supporters, who simply identified herself as Mrs. Omogiate, said they were informed by security operatives that only Very Important Personalities (VIPs) would be allowed into the Government House for refreshments
According to her, “in the worst moments of ex-governor Godwin Obaseki, supporters and members were not shabbily treated like this”.
Another supporter who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “They have won now, and they have decided to build a wall around themselves.
“I left my house before 700 am for the airport and stood under the sun for hours before the arrival of the governor.
“We engaged in a road show with him till we got to the Government House, only for us to be shut out. This is unfair.”
Daily Post
