The All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial campaign flag-off event held this Saturday afternoon, July 20, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State, has been overshadowed by violent clashes that occurred on Thursday.

President Bola Tinubu, who was expected to attend the rally and lend his support to the APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has decided to skip the event. Instead, the President will be traveling directly to Ghana to attend the sixth mid-year coordination meeting of the African Union.

The violence erupted on Thursday when Okpebholo and the impeached former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, arrived at the Benin City airport accompanied by suspected political thugs. The altercation resulted in the death of Inspector Okon, a police officer attached to Senator Okpebholo.

Sources within the presidency reveal that while efforts were made to have the President attend the APC mega rally in Benin, the violent incident and the death of the police officer ultimately led Tinubu to reconsider his planned visit.

“I am aware that efforts were made to get the President to make a quick stop at Benin for the APC mega rally,” the source said. “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, is reported to have reprimanded Senator Okpebholo for his involvement in the fracas between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Philip Shaibu. Oshiomhole is said to be concerned that Okpebholo’s association with the violent incident could hamper the party’s efforts to secure the President’s backing for his gubernatorial bid.

Monday Okpebholo and embattled former Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu arrived together in Benin on Thursday afternoon on a chartered aircraft and were headed to government house in company of thugs before the fracas broke.

The presence of the APC gubernatorial candidate was unexpected; as he has faced criticism in the past for being “media shy” and for avoiding public campaigns ahead of the Edo 2024 governorship election, scheduled for September 21st, 2024.

The violence and Tinubu’s decision to skip the rally have cast a shadow over the APC’s campaign efforts in Edo State, as they seek to regain control of the governorship seat. (Saturday Tribune)

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