Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has expressed his disapproval of the security personnel at the state house in Benin for preventing his supporters from entering the venue for the celebrations following his Supreme Court victory on Friday. He has called for the reassignment of the security staff, including the Camp Commandant, who were present during the incident.
On Friday morning, enthusiastic supporters, including market women and members of the All Progressives Congress, gathered at the Benin Airport around 7 a.m. to greet the governor. Okpebholo’s flight arrived around 12:40 p.m., and many supporters, unable to use transportation, took to the streets on foot, accompanying the governor’s motorcade while singing solidarity songs.
The procession, which lasted approximately one hour, concluded at the government house. However, security personnel informed the supporters that only Very Important Personalities were permitted entry for refreshments, leading to frustration among the crowd, who felt disrespected. In response, Okpebholo issued a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, emphasizing that the exclusion of guests and supporters was not authorized and went against the celebratory spirit of the occasion.
