Allow Patience Jonathan to use Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Oshiomhole directs Ministry

Patience Jonathan

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state Wednesday averted what could have resulted to another war of words between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), when he directed the state Ministry of Sports to allow the First Lady of the nation, Mrs Patience Jonathan use the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium this Saturday, irrespective of the fact that the wife of the Presidential candidate of the APC, Gen.Muhammadu Buhari, is scheduled to hold a rally at the Stadium the same day.

The PDP in the state led by Chief Dan Orbih had raised an a alarm over alleged attempt by officials of the state government to stop the scheduled rally of the first Lady of the nation scheduled to hold at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium this Saturday even after they have made payment to the relevant authorities.

However, in a swift reaction, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Louis Odion, explained that “the mix-up was occasioned by the laxity on the part of the officials of the Ministry of Sports who, without reference to their supervisors, proceeded to collect money and issue receipt only yesterday (Tuesday) to PDP for use of the stadium knowing fully well that APC had last week applied and received approval for the use of same facility on Saturday.

“In fact, jingles were already running on local television and radio stations announcing that the wife of APC’s presidential candidate would be in Benin that day to deliver the message of change to Edo women. For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state that being 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.

“In the circumstance, we imagine the idle denizens of Edo PDP must by now be salivating at the prospects of having an opportunity to unleash mayhem on peace-loving people of Edo State with the excuse that money was collected from them. But we are civilized people. In deference to the office of the First Lady of Nigeria, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has graciously directed that Mrs. Patience Jonathan have her day on Saturday while the wife of the APC presidential candidate will have her turn another day” it stated.