SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Major parts of Benin City, Edo State, experienced severe traffic congestion on Thursday as Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in the state for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally.
The vice president’s visit triggered significant disruptions to vehicular movement, with several major roads leading to the Oba’s Palace and Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the venue of the rally, blocked or restricted.
A NAN correspondent monitoring the situation reported that Airport Road, Plymouth Road, Reservation Road, Exotic Road, Ekenwan Road, and several streets within the Government Reservation Area were among the affected routes.
The resulting gridlock left motorists stranded for hours, while commuters faced difficulties reaching their destinations. Some residents reportedly abandoned commercial vehicles and resorted to trekking considerable distances to avoid the traffic.
Commercial drivers attempting to navigate the affected areas were forced to use alternative routes, but these roads also experienced heavy congestion as traffic pressure spread across the metropolis.
Security personnel, including police officers, military operatives, and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), were deployed to strategic junctions to manage the situation and maintain order.
Despite the disruption, the atmosphere around the airport and the Oba’s Palace was festive, as hundreds of APC supporters gathered to welcome the vice president.
Motorcycle riders wearing matching polo shirts and T-shirts bearing the photographs of President Bola Tinubu and Shettima lined parts of Airport Road, while different support groups displayed party colors and banners.
Women’s groups, young supporters, and cultural performers also entertained the crowd with songs, dancing, and traditional displays as they awaited the vice president’s arrival.
The rally, which is expected to attract party leaders, political stakeholders, and supporters from different parts of Edo State, forms part of the APC’s political mobilization activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the heavy traffic disruption has also highlighted the challenges associated with managing large political gatherings in densely populated urban centers.
While political rallies provide parties with an opportunity to demonstrate their popularity and mobilize supporters, inadequate traffic planning and extensive road restrictions can impose significant inconveniences on residents, traders, and commuters who are not attending the events.
As of the time of filing this report, the rally at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium had yet to commence, while supporters continued arriving from different parts of the state.
The scale of the turnout suggests a major mobilization effort by the ruling party, although the event’s political significance will ultimately depend on the messages delivered by its leaders and the response of Edo voters.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
