…Osinbajo, Tinubu, Lawan, Oshiomhole, Others, Expected
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State will officially flag off its campaign for the September 19 Edo Governorship election Saturday, August 8, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV gathered on Wednesday that the flag off ceremony will take place at the Main Bowl of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Sports Complex, Ugbowo campus, in Benin City.
Already, a presidential order or directive, Igbere TV learnt, had been issued to management of the University of Benin led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, to allow the event take place.
A presidential source and a top member of the APC National Campaign Council Council, who craved anonymity, confirmed the development to Igbere TV separately, on Wednesday.
On the choice of venue, our source said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led Edo state government had denied the APC access to the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium and a school field in the state.
“Obaseki denied us access to the Ogbe Stadium, even though we wrote earlier. We also learnt there are plans to disrupt and cause mayhem at the other optional venue, Garrick College, like they did before”, he alleged.
Efforts to reach the Governor’s Spokesman, Pastor Crusoe Osagie, to confirm or deny the allegation, were not successful. His known phone line was switched off as at press time.
It was gathered that the Governor had concluded plans to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) of the School, should management allow their field to be used for political rally.
Garrick Memorial College is a privately-owned school by a chieftain of the APC. It was the venue the Party candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu was billed to received during his official decamping some time this year, but was disrupted by hoodlums.
Ize-Iyamu was later officially received into the APC by Party leaders at his private residence at Ugbor, GRA, where he decamped with his hundreds of followers and supporters.
For the Saturday flag off, Igbere TV gathered that the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is leading the Presidential Delegation, on behalf of the President, Muhammadu Buhari.
A presidential source who spoke in confidence, told Igbere TV Wednesday night that President Muhammadu Buhari won’t be attending the flag off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The President, who would loved to be in Benin after his last visit in 2016, when Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was governor will be absent, due to COVID-19”, the source simply said.
Those expected at the flag off event include, National Leader of APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; President of the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; and Deputy President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
Others are All APC governors, All former National Chairmen of APC – Chief Bisi Akande, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Members of the National Assembly, Members of the APC National Campaign Council led by Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, and Ministers are also expected.
Meanwhile, Igbere TV reliably gathered that President Buhari is meeting the party’s candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in a few hours, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
