There was mild tension on Friday as hundreds of jubilant supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including market women and party loyalists, were denied entry into the Edo State Government House during a celebration of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s victory at the Supreme Court.
Naija News learnt that security operatives stationed at the Government House gates barred the crowd from entering, citing “orders from above”, leaving many bewildered and angry after marching in solidarity from the airport to the city centre.
The celebration followed the apex court’s judgment on Thursday, which upheld the earlier decisions of the Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, confirming Okpebholo as the duly elected governor of Edo State after the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
Party supporters had converged on the Benin Airport from as early as 7:00 am to welcome the governor, whose aircraft landed around 12:40 pm. From the airport, the crowd joined the governor’s convoy in a foot procession, chanting solidarity songs and celebrating the court victory.
However, the mood shifted drastically upon arrival at the Government House, where a barricade by security personnel stopped the large crowd from entering.
According to The Daily Post, witnesses reported that the security detail informed them that only “Very Important Personalities” (VIPs) were permitted inside for post-judgment refreshments and private interactions.
This, however, did not sit well with several supporters who spoke to journalists, condemning the treatment, accusing the governor’s camp of abandoning the grassroots just hours after the court endorsement.
“In the worst moments of ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki, supporters were not treated like this,” lamented Mrs Omogiate, a market woman and longtime APC member.
Another supporter, who declined to be named, said the situation was a painful betrayal.
“They have won now, and they have decided to build a wall around themselves,” he said.
“I left home before 7:00 am for the airport and stood under the sun for hours. We followed the governor in a road show to the Government House, only to be locked out. This is unfair.”
Naija News reports that the exclusion of loyal supporters from the celebratory event has sparked concerns within the APC fold about disconnect and elitism, with many warning that such moves could create division ahead of the 2027 elections.
As of press time, the governor’s office had yet to comment on the exclusion.
The post APC Supporters Barred From Edo Govt House After Okpebholo’s Supreme Court Victory appeared first on Naija News.