Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki’s ADC, collapsed on Thursday, during the governor’s inauguration at the Tennis Court of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the state capital.
The incident happened around 12 noon during Obaseki’s appreciation speech after the Oath of Office was administered on him by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Esther Edigin.
The ADC who dressed in his full regalia, was seen standing behind the governor during the speech but slumped while Obaseki who seemed to be unaware of the development continued with his speech.
As the police officer slumped, two Department of State Services (DSS) personnel calmly came to his rescue and escorted him to the sitting arena.
Patrick Okundia, the immediate-past commissioner for health, rushed to give the officer first case assessment and aid.
National Tabloid gathered that the ADC was immediately rushed into the waiting ambulance stationed at the stadium.
When contacted on the state of health of the ailing ADC, a senior police officer in Edo State Police Command, who asked not to be named, said, “The officer is in stable condition”.
“We do not doubt the state of health of the concerned officer. People do fall and with the stress of rehearsals, movement, and other activities, the officer’s principal in preparation for the ceremony, such an incident can happen.
“That shows our humanity and there is no cause for alarm. All our officers and men are in good shape and nobody should use an isolated case like that to judge how healthy the men and officers of the command are.”
The colourful event, which was held in strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols, had in attendance, Ifeanyi Okowa, Aminu Tambuwal, and Douye Diri – governors of Delta, Sokoto, and Bayelsa respectively – while Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State was represented by his deputy, Ipalibo Harry.
Others include the vice-chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party South-South, Dan Orbih; Chief of Staff to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mike Ogiadomhe; a former PDP governorship aspirant, Ken Imansuagbon; and Edobor Iyamu, a senior aide in the office of the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who represented the vice-president.