GEJ’s wife and GMB’s wife applied to use the same stadium on the same day in Edo – guess who got it

The governor of Edo state averted what could have turned out to be a nasty spat on Wednesday when he intervened in the small matter of which of the wives of the two major presidential candidates should be given access to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium this Saturday.

Dame Patience Jonathan and Aisha Buhari had both applied to use the stadium and were both given approval by the Ministry of Sports.

The governor has however asked that Dame Patience Jonathan be allowed to use the stadium.

This followed an outcry by the PDP in the state led by Chief Dan Orbih who said that some state government officials were attempting to stop the scheduled rally of the wife of the president even though payment had been made to relevant authorities.

The state commissioner of information, Mr Louis Odion, however denied the allegation, saying 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.”

 

Credit: thescoopng