President Goodluck Jonathan was on Friday reportedly embarrassed by thugs loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State.

The Nation reported that the President was given a show of shame at the Benin Airport during his visit to the state for the foundation laying ceremony of a $1 billion (about N165 billion) Azura Gas-powered Independent Power Project in the ancient city.

It was gathered that President Jonathan’s visit which was to show solidarity with the state government for attracting such a huge investment to the state and Nigeria was reportedly hijacked by hired PDP thugs who stormed the airport in large number, and started chanting anti-Adams Oshiomhole songs.
The thugs which were led by a notorious thug in the state identified as Shaba nearly disrupted the President’s visit, as it was reported that he physically assaulted some senior officials of the state government comprising the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Patrick Obahiagbon, the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Anselm Ojezua and some commissioners.
The thugs while parading placards with different inscriptions reportedly disrupted activities at the airport for several minutes before a combined team of soldiers and policemen were able to control them.
It was reported that some PDP chieftains including the state chairman, Mr. Dan Orbih, the suspended Deputy Speaker of the state’s Assembly, Mr. Fstus Ebea, and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, among others who were at the airport to receive the President, were left untouched but made no attempt to bring the erring thugs to order.
It was further gathered that soldiers were quickly mobilised from an Air Force Base closed to the airport to restore order and dispatch the thugs before the plane of the President landed at about 10.42am.The state Governor Adams Oshiomhole after receiving President Jonathan at the airport reportedly flew in the President’s helicopter to the venue of the foundation-laying ceremony.
It would be recalled that a former Commander of the Army Finance Corps, Gen.Charles Airhiavbere, who is also one of the PDP bigwig in Edo State had earlier hinted that it will be a disaster for the nation if Nigerians fail to re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in 2015.
Meanwhile, on September 23, 2014, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, revealed his intention to vie for the nation’s number seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.