Members of the All Progressives Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance and other party supporters and support groups in Anambra State have been barred from wearing party uniforms during the official visit of President Bola Tinubu to the state scheduled for Thursday (today).
The Anambra State government through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Dr Alex Obiogbolu, disclosed this in a press statement made available on Thursday.
Tinubu, during the official working visit, is expected to host a high-level town hall meeting between the President and key stakeholders in the state, at the newly-refurbished Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka and specifically party members were warned from wearing party uniforms at the venue.
Obiogbolu, in the statement said the directive was issued to avoid unnecessary political rivalry and public showmanship that could overshadow the purpose of the President’s visit.
He said, “This is to inform you that everybody coming to Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka for the reception of President Bola Tinubu tomorrow, should be in mufti.
“Please nobody should put on APGA clothes, or Support Groups uniforms.”
Our correspondent learnt that the directive became necessary in the heat that both APC and APGA support groups had reportedly mobilised their members to attend the event in uniform, intending to visibly demonstrate their support.
It was gathered from sources that the government’s decision, however, is aimed at projecting a non-partisan atmosphere and ensuring a unified reception for the President in the interest of public order and decorum.
The sources said, “The President’s political party, the APC, had expressed concerns that the visit could be perceived as a vote of no confidence in their governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, especially given the timing in an electioneering period.
“The ban on uniforms was one of the conditions set before the President agreed to attend and all political parties, especially the APC and APGA were asked to bar their members from wearing party uniform.”
The President is expected to commission “legacy” projects, including the new state government house, Solution Fun City and a host of others, during the visit.
On Wednesday, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Anambra State has deployed 1,531 officers to provide security for the president’s visit.
