Traffic came to a standstill in several parts of Benin City on Thursday as Vice-President Kashim Shettima arrived in Edo State for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally.
The congestion affected major roads connecting the Oba’s Palace and Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where the rally was scheduled to take place, according to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored the situation.
Among the affected routes were Airport Road, Plymouth Road, Reservation Road, Exotic Road, Ekenwan Road and several streets within the Government Reservation Area (GRA).
Motorists were left stranded for hours, while commuters resorted to trekking to reach their destinations. Commercial transport operators also diverted to alternative routes, but the diversions offered little relief as traffic congestion spread to other parts of the city.
Police officers, military personnel and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were deployed to major intersections to manage traffic and maintain order.
Meanwhile, hundreds of APC supporters gathered at the airport and around the Oba’s Palace to welcome the Vice-President.
Motorcycle riders dressed in matching polo shirts and T-shirts bearing the images of President Bola Tinubu and Shettima lined Airport Road.
Various women’s groups, youths in branded T-shirts and cultural troupes also turned out in colourful outfits, singing and dancing as they awaited Shettima’s arrival.
As of the time of filing this report, the rally was yet to begin at the stadium, with supporters still arriving from different parts of the state.
(NAN)
