Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Friday defended his government’s decision not to approve the use of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium for a Labour party rally in the state.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Governor said the notice for approval arrived too late.
Mr. Obaseki said the government received notice 24 hours before the event.
“The tracks for that stadium are still under warranty,” he said. “The pitch has to be maintained in a certain mold. So it’s not just another facility you can use without preparing.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Obaseki’s party, had used the stadium for a rally on October 22.
He said the PDP met the conditions for using the stadium.
“And the only reason why we allowed the PDP rally was because it was also used as an opportunity to commission that facility. Otherwise, most other rallies are held in other large grounds around the city.”
