BY ADEMETO ADELEKAN
THERE was commotion at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, when an Aide-de-Camp to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, collapsed on Thursday during the inauguration of the Governor and his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, for a second term in office.
The ADC (name not confirmed), who was in a smart ceremonial uniform, stood, as usual, behind his principal but slumped while Obaseki was appreciating the Peoples Democratic Party for giving him a ticket when he was disqualified from running in the All Progressives Congress.
Obaseki had, however, taken the Oath of Office, administered by the Chief Judge, Justice Esther Edigin, when the indicent happened.
A female para-military officer was also said to have collapsed before the ADC’s incident, but was revived.
The ADC was also revived with the help of former Commissioner of Health in the state, Patrick Okundia, and some security operatives.
The swearing in ceremony had in attendance other Governors of the PDP across Nigeria, including key members of the party’s National Working Committee, led by the National Chairman, Uche Secondus.
Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, attended the ceremony, among other dignitaries.
Obaseki, who had defected to the PDP from the All Progressives Congress after he was disqualified from participating in the party’s primary election, had dissolved the state executive council on Wednesday, ahead of the inauguration.
Obaseki defeated the APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, in the September 19, 2020 governorship election.
He polled 307,955 votes against Ize-Iyamu, who got 223,619 votes.
