The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday lashed out at the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, over the botched rally which his faction of the party planned to hold in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Adamu had on Thursday ordered the suspension of the rally, organised to welcome a former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his loyalists to the APC, citing “overriding internal security interests.
The suspension of the rally by the Police, which was contained in a letter addressed to the Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu and signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, ACP Idowu Owohunwa, came a few hours after a threat from Edo Youth vanguard (EYV) and a protest by thousands of youths loyal to the APC in the state against the planned mega rally.
The state police command positioned its officers in strategic places around Benin City, including the proposed venue of the rally at Garrick Memorial College, Ekenwan Road, to enforce the IGP’s order.
Some APC youths turned back and dispersed artistes and musicians contracted to perform at the rally, including supporters of the party’s national chairman, Oshiomhole, who expressed disappointments.
