By Alltimepost.com
Benin, Edo State – A mild drama occurred at the Samuel Ogbamudia Stadium, Benin City venue of the inauguration ceremony of Governor Godwin Obaseki last weekend as a man who claimed to be a member of the advanced team of Imo State Governor, Mr. Rochas Okorocha was allegedly manhandled by policemen.
The man almost got thrown off the state box, where very important personalities (VIP) sat, by policemen attached to Adamawa, Niger and Kebbi state governors.
Trouble started immediately the governors of Adamawa, Niger and Kebbi states arrived at the venue of the ceremony and only two chairs were available and the trio wanted to sit together.
Investigation revealed that the seats were labeled and the young man who refused to tell newsmen his name had sat on the one labeled “Imo State Gov.”
He was asked to vacate the seat for one of the governors, but refused and told them he was keeping it for his boss (Imo State governor) who was said to be on his way to the venue of the event.
His refusal to get off the seat incurred him the wrath of the security officers attached to Adamawa, Niger and Kebbi State governors who jointly pounced on and began to drag him off the seat, attracting the attention of guests around the state box.
The man struggled with about six police officers who successfully lifted him out of the chair, down the staircase to the main bowl of the stadium where other security men joined and allegedly humiliated him, but was rescued by some other persons who prevented him from being lynched.
Visibly angry, the man said he would never forgive those men who ruffled and humiliated him in the presence of such an august gathering as if he was a criminal. He was heard saying that he would take vengeance against any of the officers who ever steps their feet on Imo State soil for any state function.
Alltimepost.com contacted the newly appointed Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Moses Nkonbe over the phone from the United States for comments, but he would not confirm or deny the story. He requested that our correspondent sees him in the office. According to him: “I cannot talk to somebody that I do not know.”