It was a show of shame at the Benin Airport yesterday, as thugs loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party nearly disrupted the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Edo State for the foundation laying of a $1 billion (about N165 billion) Azura Gas-powered Independent Power Project in Benin City.
The President’s visit which was to show solidarity with the Edo State Government led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for attracting such a huge investment to the state and the country was however temporarily hijacked by hired PDP thugs who stormed the Airport in their numbers chanting anti-Oshiomhole songs.
The thugs, led by one Shaba, a notorious thug in the state physically assaulted some senior officials of the Edo State Government including Secretary to the State Government, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Patrick Obahiagbon, Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Anselm Ojezua and some civil commissioners.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions including placards of some PDP aspirants, the thugs disrupted activities at the Airport for several minutes as a combined team of soldiers and Policemen had a hectic time controlling them.
However, PDP men who were also at the airport to receive the President including its Chairman in the state, Mr Dan Orbih, suspended Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Mr Fstus Ebea, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, among others were left untouched and did nothing to bring the PDP thugs to order.
Soldiers were mobilized from the Air Force Base nearby and they quickly took charge dispersing the unruly thugs from the airport before the President’s plane touched down at 10:42am.
The President was received at the Airport by Governor Adams Eric Oshiomhole and they both flew in the President’s helicopter to the venue of the Foundation-laying ceremony.
This is the second time the President will be visiting Edo State, in two weeks, having attended a PDP South-South rally held in Benin City on Saturday, September 27.
