Updated with Photos: The other side of Oshiomhole’s marriage *Fire outbreak, pickpockets, traffic congestion *Buhari reprimands aide for pushing crowd
But for the timely intervention of security, tragedy would have happened at Iyamoh, country home of Governor Adams Oshiomhole when a generating set caught fire.
The incident, which happened while guests partied in the governor’s compound during his marriage ceremony, was quickly put out.
Quick News Africa gathered that the outbreak happened when some fuel was added to its tank by one of the aides, without switching off the power.
Oshiomhole was hosting notable personalities from around the country who besieged his home to honour his wedding invitation.
The wedding ceremony, earlier scheduled to take place at Auchi High Court Registry, was moved to the governor’s private residential house along Auchi/Okene expressway.
The large crowd, which invaded the peaceful community was quite cumbersome for security operatives to contain at the compound gates.
Security operatives battled with the crowd, pulling and pushing. It took the intervention of a government aide to get journalists a pass into the compound as the security insisted they produce an invitation. The terseness however relaxed as the day wore on.
Several helicopters kept flying in to drop the guests, who thronged in without stop. The development caused quite a stir, literally speaking, as the huge blades of the machine raised heavy collections of dust into the air, and into peoples’ eyes and staining clothes.
Also, the teeming crowd caused a traffic congestion along the Auchi/Okene expressway, and this lasted for hours. Also security operatives had a hectic time with the traffic. A minor accident involving a Toyota Corolla and a truck also occurred, but no life was lost.
While this lasted, Gen Buhari, who had left earlier to attend a prayer service in a nearby mosque at Auchi returned in a convoy and ‘Sai Buhari’ filled the air. The crowd cheered as they followed the jeep to the gate, causing more traffic congestion.
While the President Elect was walking in, a crowd was hailing him: and ‘Sai Buhari!’ rent the air. An overzealous security pushed and shoved at the crowd and nearly fell a woman. Gen Buhari turned and tapped him sharply on the shoulder with a frown and said sternly: “Leave them!”, before they finally walked into Oshiomhole’s living room.
President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari had arrived the venue in a hired helicopter, and was shortly joined by the vice-president-Elect, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. They arrived at about 11.30 am.
Also sighted were Speaker of House of Representatives and Governor-elect of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa state, former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, ex Anambra governor Peter Obi, Dino Melaye, Bukola Saraki, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Senator Domingo Obende, Benin Business mogul, Captain Hosa Okunbor, Femi Otedola, Aliko Dangote and many others.
Some notable opponents of Oshiomhole in the PDP also showed up at the event, including Chief Tom Ikimi and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who showed up at the ceremony at ceremony at about 11:09 am.
It was however gathered that security operatives at the entrance to the governor’s residence did not allow them entrance into the living room, following which they relocated to the canopy erected in the large compound.
The couple later stepped out at 11:30 and walked round and back into the hall.
Others who showed up at the wedding include Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Liyel Imoke of Cross River, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Chief Great Ogboru of Delta State Labour Party. The other are Chief Samuel Ogbemudia, Domingo Obende.