The planned All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial campaign flag-off event in Benin City, Edo State, scheduled for today, July 20th, 2024, will no longer have the president in attendance, due to the fracas that erupted on Thursday in Benin between supporters of Governor Godwin Obaseki and those of ex deputy, Philip Shaibu.

President Tinubu, who was expected to attend the rally today and lend his support to the APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, won’t be attending again as he would be traveling directly to Ghana to attend the sixth mid-year coordination meeting of the African Union.

Fracas had erupted on Thursday when Okpebholo and the former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, arrived at the Benin City airport. Following the altercation, Inspector Okon, a police officer attached to Senator Okpebholo, lost his life.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson said while efforts were made to have the President attend the APC mega rally in Benin, the fracas may have further let to the president reconsider his planned visit.

“I am aware that efforts were made to get the President to make a quick stop at Benin for the APC mega rally,” the source said. “But the fighting and especially the death of a police officer helped the President make up his mind. He will not be coming.”

Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, a prominent APC leader, is reported to have condemned the fracas.

Monday Okpebholo and embattled former Deputy Governor Phillip Shaibu arrived together in Benin on Thursday afternoon on a chartered aircraft.

A party member said “the presence of the APC gubernatorial candidate was unexpected; as he has faced criticism in the past for being “media shy” and for avoiding public campaigns ahead of the Edo 2024 governorship election, scheduled for September 21st, 2024.”

The fracas and Tinubu’s decision to skip the rally have cast a shadow over the APC’s campaign efforts in Edo State, as they seek to regain control of the governorship seat, a party stalwart said.