Tension is now mounting in Benin City, the  Edo State capital, over who between the first lady, Dame Patient Jonathan, and the wife of the flag bearer of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajia Aisha Buhari, will use the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium for a rally on Saturday March 14, 2015 .

The build up tension is occasioned by what observers described as irreconcilable differences by the leaders and members of the APC and the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the  state who looks set for a bloody clash over the women’s visits to Edo.

It was also observed that both sides are poised not to shift ground over the use of the stadium for the political campaigns aimed at drawing the support of thousands of women for the PDP Presidential candidate and incumbent President Jonathan’s re-election  and that of APC Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the polls.

The official visit of both women on Saturday has led to the compulsory retirement of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports for what the state governor Adams Oshiomhole described as “withholding information crucial to the interest of the government and the general public.”

It was gathered that the state government through the ministry of Sports and Youth Development has given official approval for the use of Samuel Ogbemudia stadium as venue for the two separate events on the same day, Saturday this week.

The state commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Presley Ediagbonya, had on Tuesday March 10, 2015 approved the use of the stadium for the state chapter of the PDP to host Dame Jonathan following an application by the state executive of the party dated March 9th, 2015.

Based on the approval letter, the leadership of PDP paid one million and fifty thousand naira (N1,0 50,000:00) into the account of the state Board of Internal Revenue as IGR in a Zenith Bank account number 1130004993 and teller number 063703 to use the approved venue.

Chairman of the PDP in the state, Chief Dan Orbih, had at a press conference on Wednesday  in Benin  asked women, party leaders and members, civil society and supports groups loyal to the PDP and members of the party from across the three senatorial districts to come out enmasse to accord a rousing welcome to the first lady at samuel Ogbemudia stadium on Saturday.

Orbih lauded the doggedness and courage of Dame Patience Jonathan for her towering support for Mr. President and pledged the determination of leaders and supporters of PDP in the state to give her “a wonderful reception”.

The PDP Chairman  also denied any knowledge of the visit of wife of the APC Presidential candidate to the state even as he showed the approval documents and receipts of payments as instructed by the state government.

Reacting to the scenario in a statement on wednesday, the state commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, said, “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 issued receipt on Tuesday to PDP for use of the stadium knowing full well that APC had last week applied and received approval for the use of same facility on Saturday.”

According to the commissioner, “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.”

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has approved the compulsory retirement of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Samuel Obaze Uhunmwangho, from the state Civil Service for withholding information crucial to the interest of the government and the general public.

The retirement which is with immediate effect was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Peter Okhiria.

http://dailyindependentnig.com/2015/03/tension-edo-visit-dame-jonathan-buharis-wife/

I trust mama peace taking all the shine . GEJ till 2019!!!