The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has signed a new gazette, banning social gathering involving more than 20 persons in the state as a measure to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The new gazette also permits the gathering of over 20 people only if it has his exclusive approval.
Recall that the state is preparing for governorship election slated for September.
In few days time, the contestants within the APC will test their popularity in a primary election which mode, whether direct or indirect is yet to be determined.
The governor also approved the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the State capital as the only facility for any political party desirous of gathering for the purpose of primary elections.
Pundits believe that the gazette may have put paid to the proposed direct primary election by All Progressives Congress (APC) to elect its governorship candidate in the State.
The gazette, claimed by the state government to be a product of an epidemiological study that predicted that COVID-19 infections in the state would peak around the June 28.
It made special conditions for gatherings of at most 5,000 people subject to the written approval of the Governor.
These 5,000 persons who may gather for political reasons must assemble in Benin City and in a single facility with capacity for not less than 10,000 persons, according to the gazette.
The National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole and his successor, Obaseki have been in a supremacy battle after the duo fell out of favour.
Oshiomhole who was instrumental in the election of Obaseki has since pitched his support with Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the PDP candidate in the 2016 gubernatorial election who has since defected to APC.
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