Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and other party supporters and support groups in Anambra State have been prohibited from wearing party uniforms during the official visit of President Bola Tinubu to the state scheduled for Thursday (today).
Prof. Charles Soludo, 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.
During the formal business visit, Tinubu is slated to organise a high-level town hall meeting between the president and important state stakeholders at the newly renovated Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, and party members have been advised not to wear party uniforms there.
In the statement, Obiogbolu stated that the directive was issued to avoid unnecessary political rivalry and public showmanship, which could overshadow 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 group uniforms.”
Our reporter heard that the decision became necessary due to the heat since both APC and APGA support organisations had reportedly organised their members to attend the event in uniform, intending to publicly display their support.
According to insiders, the Anambra state government’s decision is intended to create a nonpartisan climate and ensure a unifying reception for the president in the interests of public order and decorum.
“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 uniforms,” the sources said.
Tinubu is expected to commission “legacy” projects, including the new state government house, Solution Fun City and a host of others, during the visit.
Chronicle NG reported that Tinubu will be visiting Anambra state on May 8.
