FOR re-elected Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, it was torrents of commendations on Sunday as a host of eminent Nigerians and groups saluted him on his victory at the Saturday polls and urged him to accelerate the pace of development in the state.
Running on the banner of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Oshiomhole beat his closest marker, Gen. Charles Airhiavbare of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with over 300,000 votes. He polled 477,478 votes while Airhiavbare scored 144,235 votes.
Among those who commended Oshiomhole yesterday were President Goodluck Jonathan; Senate President David Mark; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; ACN National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governors Peter Obi (Anambra), Raji Fashola (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Liyel Imoke (Cross River).
Others include National Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, Chief Sam Nkire; National Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie; the ACN; Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM); June 12 Coalition of Democratic Formations (J12CODEF); National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN); Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU).
Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadohme, former Chief of General Staff, Admiral Mike Akhigbe and first Civilian Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, described the victory of Governor Oshiomhole as a good omen for the people of the state.
The salutation came as Edo State PDP commended Edo people for their conduct during the polls as Governor Oshiomhole called on Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, to probe the lapses observed at the election.
Jonathan pledges FG’s support
For his victory, Oshiomhole got words of encouragement and support from President Goodluck Jonathan. In a statement, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, the president urged Oshiomhole to receive the fresh mandate as an endorsement of his outstanding performance in his first term and an expression of their desire for a continuation of his focused, purposeful and dynamic leadership.
Wishing the governor continued good health and a successful second term in the service of Edo State and Nigeria, Jonathan said he expected that “the Governor will work even harder in his second term to justify the confidence in his leadership clearly expressed by the Edo State electorate on Saturday and assures him that the Federal Government will continue to give all possible support and assistance for development in the state.”
The president also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), its personnel and the nation’s security services for ensuring that the elections were free and fair in keeping with his administration’s commitment to continually strengthening democracy in Nigeria through the establishment of a more credible electoral system.
Mark to Oshiomhole: Victory, a reward for service
To Senate David Mark, Oshiomhole’s re-election was a reward for his service to the people of the state. In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, Senator Mark said, “this re-election is a reward for service. It must serve as an elixir for greater performance. You must therefore continue to do only those things that have made you the best choice of your people. You must therefore continue to make service to your people the focal point of your administration.”
Gov Adams Oshiomhole with his supporters after he was declared winner of the Edo governorship elections, Sunday, in Benin City,
Urging Oshiomhole to be magnanimous in victory, Senator Mark said the issue of election had come and gone adding that Oshiomhole as well as his fellow contestants “must do the needed thing by joining hands together to build a new Edo state in the overall interest of the people.
It’s manifestation of people’s trust — Tambuwal
Also, Hon Tambuwal, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, noted that Oshiomhole’s victory was a manifestation of the people’s trust and confidence in his leadership. The speaker implored the Governor to rise above partisan consideration and carry along all people along in the task of building the state.
The people have triumphed — Tinubu
Also hailing the governor, Asiwaju Tinubu, in an eight paragraph statement titled: “Triumph of the People,” said by handing Oshiomhole an overwhelming victory, the people of Edo State had “served notice that ‘never again’ in their state will the public’s mandate and right to pick the leaders of their choice be stolen.”
He noted that the election was about more than Governor Oshiomhole and Edo State. “It was a contest pitting democracy and the people on one side against the powerful and corrupt ruling political elite on the other. As such, this victory signals a new chapter in our democratic struggle. Try as they might, this elite employed every old election rigging trick and invented some new ones.
“It deployed the behemoth weight of government and party to break the democratic aspirations of the people of Edo State. However, the people stood firm because they know the difference between democracy and despotism, between economic development and economic depression, between justice and injustice. The people demonstrated that where they stand united and vigilant the powerful and mean cannot dispossess them of their democratic rights.
“The people stood defiantly and democratically in the public square asserting their political rights and freedom. In the face of this popular demonstration, the powers that be were forced to retreat into the caverns and shadows of their political trickery and greed”, Tinubu said stated that the INEC performed below standard and the rightful outcome was reached only because of the people’s diligence. He urged people of other states to learn lessons from what the people of Edo achieved.
Oshiomhole must not rest on his oars — Imoke
Governor Imoke, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, described Oshiomhole’s victory as impressive and a vote of confidence on the governor by Edo people.
He said that the Comrade Governor’s victory apart from further deepening the practice of democracy in Nigeria, demonstrated that the electorate had become politically conscious of their rights to vote for whomever they deemed fit to govern them.
It’s victory for democracy — Obi
To Governor Obi, the re-election of Oshiomhole was victory for democracy and was expected. In a statement in Awka yesterday, Obi said the victory of Oshiomhole was not a surprise to Nigerians in view of what he was able to achieve during his first four year years as governor.
His words: “I knew what Edo State used to be and what it is now due to Oshiomhole’s developmental strides. This is a good lesson of what politics should be – the promotion of the totality of the welfare of the people. I am happy to note that in Oshiomhole’s case, his work and not the amount of money he was able to share endeared him to the people.”
Fashola, Aregbesola salute Oshiomhole
To Aregbesola, the victory of ACN was a triumph of peoples’ will and aspiration in the nation’s democratic evolution. According to him, it demonstrated Edo people’s love for democracy and good governance, which he said the ACN exemplified as a political party.
In a statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the governor stated that the superlative performance of Oshiomhole’s administration in nearly all sectors of governance, which had rescued the state from the precipice the PDP dragged it during its almost nine year’s reign of abysmal performance, worked the magic for the party in the weekends’ poll.
In like manner, Fashola congratulated Oshiomole saying his victory was never in doubt. Fashola, who spoke to newsmen shortly after inspecting the task force clean up enforcement in Apapa and Obalende areas of Lagos, noted that Oshiolmole victory was “a sweet victory for the nation’s democracy and the social contract on which democracy finds its voice.”
He said, “For too long, our people have suffered bad governance, the social contract is beginning to make its impact. It was not whether Oshiomole will win, it was by what margin.”
Ajimobi, Amosun, Ahmed congratulate Oshiomhole
Oshiomhole also got plaudits from Governor Ajimobi, who saw his triumph a demonstration of the love the people of the state had for him and the ruling ACN, adding that it was a further confirmation of the age-long progressive nature of Edo people.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, Governor, Ajimobi said Oshiomhole’s landslide victory at the poll was an appreciation of his outstanding performance in the last four years by the people of Edo State.
To Governor Ahmed, Oshiomhole’s election was another milestone in the collective efforts to strengthen democratic culture in the country.
Governor Ahmed, in a congratulatory message issued in Ilorin by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahaab Oba, noted that it was very heart warming that despite the anxieties which preceded it, the election was largely peaceful, which he said ‘was an indication of the salient fact that we can get any national venture right if we show the required commitment and resolve’.
Jonathan and Tinubu
Felicitating with Oshiomhole, Governor Amosun, in a press release by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Mrs Funmi Wakama, described Oshiomhole’s victory as “a reward for hard work and commitment to the welfare of the people of Edo State. Comrade Oshiomhole has set a new template for governance, which has led to the transformation of Edo State in an unprecedented scale in the last four years,” the governor said.
ACN salutes ‘people power’ in Edo
Also, the ACN hailed the courage and determination of the people of Edo State, whom it said, defied all odds to vote and defend their votes in order to re-elect Oshiomhole.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party
said the good people of Edo state had shown, by the action, that true sovereignty lies with the people.
‘’The courageous and determined people of Edo State refused to be intimidated by the massive deployment of security forces by the PDP-controlled Federal Government. They overcame the shenanigans of a colluding INEC and rendered irrelevant the dirty tricks of misguided moneybags. In the end, they shut out the do-nothing PDP,’’ it said.
Oshiomhole asks Jega to probe lapses in Edo polls
To ensure a perfect election in future, Governor Oshiomhole has called on Jega to conduct an investigation into the delay in the arrival of election materials in Benin metropolis with a view to forestalling a repeat in other parts of the country.
Speaking with newsmen in Benin City yesterday, Oshiomhole said “I ask Jega to conduct an investigation into why for four hours, materials were not delivered in Benin City. That investigation would help determine why some people were disenfranchised.”
Oshiomhole however commended the INEC Chairman and the State Resident Electoral Commissioner for conducting a free and fair election in the state. He said “I believe that the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Geidam demonstrated uncommon quality of leadership. He showed commitment and courage to duty. Under tension he maintained his cool.”
The Governor said “some of the people posted to Edo are people that cannot be entrusted with responsible positions. I have argued that anybody in INEC who has conducted an election that was annulled has no basis to get involved in any other election. It is unacceptable for INEC to have been able to deliver materials to Edo Central and North that are over two hours drive, how can they explain that they could not deliver materials to areas that are within five to 10 minutes drive”?
Oshiomhole maintained that one outcome of the election was the unanimous agreement of the people that his government deserved a second term.
EDO PDP hail Edo People
Reacting to the outcome of the exercise, Edo PDP, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Pharm. Matthew Urhoghide (FPSN), congratulated Edo people “over their decision of July 14, 2012 on who rules them in the next four years. This is however without prejudice to all other latent issues that may arise subsequently after a thorough study of all the issues appertaining to the election.
Our party being part and parcel of the people, will always feel their pulse and do their bidding. The PDP in Edo State will like to reassure Edo people that we have learnt from our immediate and past experiences and promise to always stand in the gap for Edo people in their quest to achieve to the fullest their aspiration of quality life.”
Outcome reflects the people’s will — NLC
The NLC described the victory of Oshiomhole as true reflection of the will of Edo people of the state. In a congratulatory letter to the re-elected governor of Edo State tagged “ Edo verdict: A victory foretold” and signed by its President, Comrade Abdulwahed Omar, the NLC urged Comrade Oshiomhole to see this victory as a challenge to take up the gauntlet once more and consolidate on the remarkable gains made in the last four years in Edo State and further expand on the dividends of democracy to the Edo people.
PPA, UPP speak
Chief Nkire of the PPA said ACN’s thrashing of the PDP “means a rejection of PDP not only in Edo State but throughout the country” because PDP had squandered the mandate Nigerians gave it in the last 13 years and should not expect people to trust the party with their votes anymore.
Nkire congratulated the Bini people of Edo State for rising above tribal sentiments in voting for Oshiomhole’s good performance and urged Oshiomhole reciprocate this gesture by doing more work for the people of Edo State
On his part, Okorie said with Oshiomhole’s resounding victory at the polls, Edo people have “sent a strong signal that good governance shall always be rewarded with electoral solidarity. Our democracy is on the path of steady development.”
Aside Oshiomhole, the UPP congratulated the ACN and the urged the INEC “to keep up the good work and build on the success recorded in their conduct of the governorship election. The election petition tribunal has no job to do in this matter.”
Senator Ewherido lauds Oshiomhole
Senator Pius Ewherido (DPP, Delta Central) has congratulated Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on his re-election saying that it was a reward for good performance.
Oghiadohme, Oyegun, Akhigbe, others congratulate Oshiomhole
Oghiadohme in a statement congratulating the governor, described Oshiomhole’s victory as a “confirmation of the maturity of Nigeria’s democracy and urged him to be magnanimous in victory”.
On his part, Admiral Akhigbe stated: “I think this victory is just the end of cabalism and the beginning of one man one vote in Edo state. It is a landslide victory. This has reinforced a tradition which has always existed in Edo/Delta, people’s attitude towards one man one.
“You remember the old Midwest region was created out of one man one vote, and the campaign was championed by the late Oba Akenzua 11, and late Senator Lamai was also in the picture. It is also the beginning and the end of election rigging in Nigeria. My advise now is that Oshiomhole should sit down and rebuild the state and bring every body on board including those who misunderstood the project.”
Chief Oyegun said: “It is just wonderful. The people have spoken and they have stated that they are happy with the governance which Oshiomhole is providing. Every nook and corner of the state voted massively for Oshiomhole. I hope the rest of Nigeria is watching. They should be courageous and take their destinies into their hands.”‘
SSANU, NUTGTWN, NMA speak
Apart from NLC, the Comrade Governor received commendations from other sections of his primary constituency – the Labour movement.
The NUTGTWN via a statement by its General Secretary and NLC Vice President, Issa Aremu, lauded Edo people and the political parties in the state for allowing the electoral process to run through despite initial challenges and described Oshiomhole’s victory as a vote for development politics as opposed to corruption politics of the past.
Also SSANU’s General Secretary, Promise Adewusi, said the outcome of the polls had testified that power truly belongs to the people in a free and plural democracy.
And the NMA in a statement by its National President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, while commended the governor, urged him to build on his previous performance, strengthen the institutions, industriliase Edo, increase physical and financial access to quality healthcare, create more jobs and improve the standard of living of the people.
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