Oshiomhole thanks Edo, INEC, as more congratulations pour in

[MrVan]

By Our Reporters

Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday expressed his appreciation to the people of Edo State, Nigeria's democracy stakeholders for making his re-election possible.

Oshiomhole in a statement issued by his campaign organization paid special tribute to the Oba of Benin praising his fatherly guidance and conduct in ensuring a peaceful election.

In the statement issued by Prince Kassim Afegbua, Director of Media in the Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation, OCO said: "We at the Campaign Organisation wish to place on record our hearty appreciation for the steady and committed roles played by several individuals at different times in the course of the electoral battle.

We are further buoyed by your sense of loyalty and steadfastness which was uncommonly displayed to sustain the electoral discourse in the build-up to the election. We remain eternally grateful to the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria for the overwhelming support it rendered throughout the campaigns and the ultimate exercise of the election.

We remain thankful to the Nigeria Labour Congress for their show of solidarity for one of their own in deepening the essential ingredients of democratic practice. We want to appreciate in very special way, our highly revered Omo N 'Oba for his exemplary role in maintaining the sanctity of the Palace and the unflinching support the Palace has been giving to the government and people of Edo State thus far."

The expression of thanks came as various stakeholders continued to congratulate Oshiomhole on his re-election.

Gov Adams Oshiomhole with his supporters after he was declared winner of the Edo governorship elections, Sunday, in Benin City, Uduaghan, Ogboru hail poll

Among them was Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State in a congratulatory message to Oshiomhole urged him to see the outcome of the election as testament of the will of the people.

While encouraging him to be magnanimous in victory, Governor Uduaghan in a statement in Asaba, yesterday also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for proving itself once again by conducting a free and fair election devoid of violence.

But he however enjoined INEC "to look into some of the issues raised by voters" and thanked the people of Edo State for their peaceful conduct during the election.

Governor Uduaghan said he was looking forward to working with Oshiomhole as governor of a sister state with common interests, advising him "to rally those who contested with him to collectively confront the dire needs of the people of Edo State".

Chief Great Ogboru, the Democratic Peoples Party, candidate in the 2011 gubernatorial election in Delta State on his part hailed the election as a "reaffirmation of the human will to prevail over falsehood" and praised the people of Edo State for standing up in defence of their votes.

Ogboru in the statement said: "As a people of common heritage, the good people of Delta State stand united to salute the manifest courage of our fellow Bendelites in Edo State. For defending your democratic right to elect your own leaders, we are proud of you. For your vigilance in ensuring that your votes counted, you are a beacon of hope. Your victory is ours too. Indeed, we salute your courage and congratulate you for the victory."

"For our Comrade Governor Oshiomhole, we have no doubt that his legacy has spoken loudly and resulted in this good victory. It is our hope, which we must very soon meet with granite will and confidence, that indeed Delta will join Edo to complete the freedom of our old Bendel State from the claws of bad governance," Ogboru said.

Management of resources

Former Senator Francis Okpozo, in his own reaction described Oshiomhole's victory as the end of god fatherism in the politics of Edo state and as such warned the "god fathers" in Edo state to limit themselves in Edo State and leave Delta state alone".

Okpozo who attributed Oshiomhole's victory to his hard work and prudent management of resources in the state, urged the governor-elect to do more for the people of the state following the support he received in the 18 Local Government Councils of the state.

"Oshiomhole was rewarded because of his good work, efficient and prudent management of the resources that accrued to Edo state, since he assumed office as a governor. What has happened now is a testimony that those who call themselves god fathers have been disgraced because they are not the god fathers of the people but for a few cabal. And it will be difficult now to show their political relevance. And those god fathers in Edo state should limit themselves to Edo state and leave Delta state alone".

Cross Rivers  ACN too

Chairman of ACN in Cross Rivers State, Mr. Hilliard Eta, reacting to the outcome of the election urged INEC to use the just concluded governorship election in Edo State as the benchmark for the 2015 general elections.

Eta, who spoke to Vanguard, yesterday, in Calabar, described the victory of Governor Adams Oshiomwhole in Saturday's governorship election in Edo State, as having a wider implication for Nigeria's democracy.

He said, "It is beginning to show that Nigerians appreciate good governance for which his party and Oshiomhole represent." He noted that the Edo election should be used as a benchmark of good governance in the South-South.

Member of the House of Representatives representing Owan West and East Federal constituency, Mr Pally Iriase, yesterday, said Oshiomhole's victory has unified the state.

Iriase who served as Campaign Coordinator for Oshiomhole in Edo North senatorial district, said that Oshiomhole's second coming in office would be more successful, just as he urged other heads of institutions to emulate the transparency of the INEC chairman, Prof. Atthairu Jega for the good of the nation.

"The victory has shown that Adams Oshiomhole has united Edo state. And ethnicity has not played a part in the election of Adams Oshiomhole. What has played a part is politics of development and what it means is that, that is the way to go for Nigeria."

Edo SDMP guber candidate

Meanwhile, the candidate of the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP), in last weekend's gubernatorial election in Edo State, Mr. Frank Ukonga has congratulated Oshiomhole on his victory describing the election as comparable in conduct to the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

While commending all contestants in the governorship position for their cooperation during the election, he called on them to accept the results in the spirit of sportsmanship.

"We commend the people of Edo state who are the real champion that insisted on the concept of one, one vote" he said,and insisted that without the people, they will not be where  the state is today.

Vanguard Nigeria