Oshiomhole Lauds Edo People

The success of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Edo State where the party won 19 House of Assembly seats against the six won by the PDP has made  Governor Adams Oshiomhole happy.

This has sent a positive signal to the governor that the people have shown that his effort at turning the state around has been acknowledged by them and in return he has sent message of appreciation to the people for cooperating with his government.

Oshiomhole thanked the people of the state for voting in candidates of their choice in a peaceful and orderly manner.

The governor in a state-wide broadcast also thanked the royal fathers in the state, especially the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa and religious leaders for their support and prayers for a peaceful and successful election.

He said: “Thank God for the peace that characterised the entire exercise. If there were people who had made up their minds to undermine the exercise, we thank God they were all put to shame. I want to congratulate each and everyone of you for participating in this election. Whereas in parts of the country,  reports suggest that there was fighting here and there, in Edo state, we didnâ€t have any incident of death or attack or indeed anybody being brutalised or dehumanised on account of his or her participation in the election.

“Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate your massive endorsement of Action Congress candidates, and as we speak , we now have overwhelming representation in the House of Assembly. I have taken your mass endorsement of ACN candidates to mean approval of my stewardship, of my report card which I had attempted to present to you in the course of campaign.

“Your endorsement of ACN candidates, for me also represents a firm order on your part to me not only to continue with what we are doing, but even to expand and ensure that the pace of development is even accelerated. With the co-operation of the House of Assembly I appreciate that this mandate carries with it enormous obligation to ensure that public funds and resources are used squarely and in a way that will deliver the greatest good to the greatest number in the shortest time. I want to assure you that we will not disappoint you.

“Let me appreciate our religious  leaders, our men and women of God, who prayed for a peaceful election, even in the face of some fears in some quarters that there were quite a number of people who wanted to disrupt this election, people who would rather vote with the bullet rather than with their thumb. It is clear now that God answered those prayers, which is why election went smoothly in every part of Edo state with very minor hitches here and there. But we thank you and we ask you to continue to pray for us.

“I want to appreciate the prayers by his Royal Majesty, Omo Nâ€Oba Nâ€Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Erediauwa, who not only prayed, but sent a number of chiefs to Government House to head the prayer sessions. Again it is clear that these prayers were answered, as evident by the fact that there was no incident of shooting, of killing, or of anybody being hospitalised.

“We are determined that together, Edo state must continue to work for the benefit of the majority of the people. I thank you so very much. May God bless you.”

—Yomi Obaditan/Benin