The Oba of Benin, members of the National Assembly both former and serving lawmakers, and the Godwin Obaseki Support Group (GOSG) have congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State for his victory at the Election Petition Tribunal occasioned by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and her candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu challenging the declaration of Obaseki as winner of the Edo gubernatorial elections.
Besides, they separately, but in unanimity, called for the support of Governor Obaseki, irrespective of political affiliation.
The tribunal had sat to hear allegations of over voting and corrupt electoral practices, but had dismissed the petition and upheld the
declaration of Governor Obaseki as winner of the September 28, 2016 elections in Edo.
Congratulating the governor, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II stated that the affirmation came at a time his services were needed, especially in the sanitisation of the society and provision of jobs for the teeming unemployed youths, as well as in infrastructure development.
Describing the judgement as a “landmark judgement”, he urged PDP members to join hands with the governor to move Edo higher. In a similar vein, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Senator Domingo Obende, has urged citizens of the three
senatorial districts, in the state irrespective of political affiliations, to support the progressive works of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the state.
He said the tribunal’s judgement, delivered last week, had further re-affirmed the people’s decision during the September 28, 2016
governorship election in the state.
Obende, who represented Edo North senatorial district between 2011 and 2014 on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria, now All Progressives Congress (APC), said “Edo people remain one irrespective of political differences or affiliation. The ruling of the tribunal confirms the decision Edo people made and this decision should be respected and supported by all.”
He also said the administration “has demonstrated, as started by his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, that Edo State is its primary constituency and not political party affiliation or state of origin”. Similarly, a member representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency, Mr Ehioze Agbonayinma urged other PDP members in the state to jettison political differences and support Governor Obaseki. Agbonayinma, a PDP chieftain in the state, congratulated Obaseki saying: “The result reflected the true picture of the votes of the people of Edo State and Obaseki won the election. It happened due to the factional crisis wrecking the PDP and failure of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to recognise the authentic candidate of the PDP, which is Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, because we have always said that Ali Modu Sheriff is the authentic National Chairman of the PDP.
In addition, Former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Samson Osagie congratulated the governor and the APC for the legal victory, urging all party supporters to join hands with the governor and the party to drive development in the state.
“This victory should serve as cushion to all frail nerves and a catalyst for the administration to embark on the continuation of its well thought out development agenda for Edo State. It is time to work together in the interest of the State irrespective of political or ideological differences. After all a better Edo State is for the benefit of all,” he said.
Meanwhile, an NGO, GOSG congratulated Governor Obaseki, declaring that the judgment proved that the good people of Edo State made the best choice at the polls.
In a statement by its Trustee Chairman, Henry Idogun, the group said there was no better way to sum up the essence of the victory, than to say it was a victory for the people of Edo state and a renewal of the will of the people.
