Soldiers yesterday averted what would have led to a bloody clash at the Benin Airport, when Governor Adams Oshiomhole and some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were waiting for the arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan, who was in the state for the official Foundation-Laying Ceremony of the Azura-Edo Power Plant.

PDP youths who thronged the Airport, carrying placards with various inscriptions including placards of some PDP aspirants, harassed some senior officials of the Edo State Government, including Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Anselm Ojezua and some commissioners.

The PDP youths in their numbers chanted anti-Oshiomhole songs in the presence of the PDP leaders. Their action provoked some APC youths who resisted them until the arrival of a combined team of soldiers and policemen. If not for the intervention of crisis would have enveloped the airport before the arrival of the President who came to show solidarity with Governor Oshiomhole for attracting such a huge investment to the state and the country.

Soldiers were mobilised from the Air Force Base nearby and they quickly took charge dispersing the unruly thugs from the airport before the President’s plane touched down at 10:42am.

The President was received at the Airport by Governor Oshiomhole and they both flew in the President’s helicopter to the venue of the foundation-laying ceremony.

•Source: Saturday Vanguard. Photo shows Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to the groundbreaking of Azura Edo Power Plant in Benin City . . . yesterday. With them is the Minister of power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo.