Business activities and vehicular movements were halted on Friday in Benin, following the huge crowd that thronged the various streets to welcome the presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.
Addressing party supporters at the Baptist Convention Ground, venue of Labour Party’s Presidential rally, Obi promised to rebuild the country if elected.
He assured the people, particularly youths and women, of his commitment towards securing the nation for the overall interest of the people.
Obi further assured that if elected President of Nigeria, the people would no longer go to bed hungry.
“We will stop people from looting the nation’s treasury.
“Is about you (referring to the youths), with you, we will take back this country.
“Labour Party will stop nepotism, that is my commitment,” Obi said
Crowd Turns Out As Peter Obi Takes Campaign To Edo, Visits Oba Of Benin
Earlier, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, told Obi that his reputation preceded him.
The Oba made the remark when he received the LP presidential candidate and his running mate, Yusuf Datti, in his palace in Benin
Obi, who got barrage of questions from the ruler, said he read that a parcel of land was given to him and he turned the offer down and that he should confirm if that information was true.
Ewuare further told him that there were a lot of temptations in office and asked if he could resist them and remain clean?
The ruler further said that there had been a lot of arguments about his popularity.
He said it was believed that Obi was only popular on the social media, while some said otherwise, adding that he had tried to find out from both the old and the young and that what he saw was quite amazing.
The traditional ruler maintained that the Benin throne, right from time immemorial, had remained apolitical as he was the father to all.
He said the throne was interested in the one who had the interest of Nigerians at heart, one who could make life meaningful for all.
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Friday defended his government’s decision not to approve the use of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium for a Labour party rally in the state.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Governor said the notice for approval arrived too late.
Mr Obaseki said the government received notice 24 hours to the event.
“The tracks for that stadium are still under warranty,” he said. “The pitch has to be maintained in a certain mould. So it’s not just another facility you can use without preparing.”
Why we did not approve the stadium in Benin-City for Labour Party. – Godwin Obaseki, Edo State Governor
“I expected more from the Labour party; I thought they were more serious,” he says.
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