Gov. Umahi waives fees for PDP rally, moves APC rally to another venue

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has shown that politics in Nigeria can be played without bitterness or violence as he granted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) free use of the state stadium for its presidential campaign rally.

Despite being a member of the ruling APC, Umahi approved the use of the Pa Ngele Oruta Township stadium for the PDP rally slated to hold on Jan. 26.

The PDP in a letter addressed to the Governor, titled: “Notice of Presidential Rally of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi State” dated 20th Jan. 2023, had requested the use of the stadium.

The opposition party accepted to pay the prescribed fees in line with the operative Executive Order in the state.

The governor, in his response, waived the fees and directed the Acting Chairman of the State Board of Internal Revenue not to collect any fee from the party.

He also directed the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development to grant the party unhindered access to the facility.

Umahi, however, appealed to his party, the All Progressives Congress, to move its campaign scheduled to hold in the facility same day to another venue in order to make space for PDP.

He also notified the State Commissioner of Police of the event, directing that as the Chief Security Officer of the State, adequate security should be provided to the party.

The governor had earlier approved the facility for the Labour Party’s Presidential Rally which is yet to be held in the state.