By DADA AYOKHAI
There was mild drama in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, as the National Democratic Congress, NDC, candidate for Etsako Federal Constituency, Bawa Mohammed, was allegedly denied access to a public facility approved for his campaign rally.
Bawa, who hails from Auchi in Etsako West LGA, was in Okpella as part of his campaign tour of the Etsako Federal Constituency when the incident occurred.
It was gathered that the candidate had secured prior approval to use the venue but was shocked to find it barricaded on arrival, forcing him and his supporters to make an emergency alternative arrangement.
Unconfirmed reports alleged that the barricade was ordered by the leadership of the local government council on instructions from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Reacting to the development, prominent indigenes of Auchi have appealed to the Chairman of Etsako West LGA, Hon. Romeo Omoike, to ensure fairness and allow opposition parties to use public facilities in the area.
They warned that it would be unfair and capable of igniting crisis if Bawa, who is a prominent son of Auchi, is denied access to public facilities in Auchi, his home base, ahead of his scheduled rally.
Why Fairness In Use Of Public Facilities Must Be Uphold In Edo
Political pundits condemned the resurgence of the age-long practice of denying opposition parties access to public facilities for political rallies ,
According to them ,Public facilities such as town halls, public school fields, stadiums and open grounds are built and maintained with public funds. They belong to all Edo people and not to the ruling party.
Denying a popular candidate access to a public facility does not diminish his support base; instead, it exposes the ruling party as being afraid of fair competition, they said,
’It is therefore unacceptable for any government or political party to convert these common assets into exclusive party property to be used at will to punish opponents.:
As at the time of filing this report, efforts to get the reaction of the Etsako East LGA authorities were unsuccessful. East Denies
