Ahead of the November gubernatorial election, Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday signed a new gazette banning political or social gathering involving more than 20 persons in the state without his direct approval.
Obaseki also approved the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the State capital as the only facility for any political party desirous of gathering for the purpose of primary elections.
This follows heated political battles between him and his predecessor and current national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
The party had last week adopted direct primary election to select its governorship candidate in the State.
The state government said the gazette was a product of an epidemiological study which predicted that COVID-19 infections in the state would peak around June 28, 2020.
However, it gave special conditions for gatherings of up to 5,000 people subject to the written approval of the Governor.
According to the gazette, the 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.
