Oshiomhole Vows Edo People Will Resist Forces To Rig State’s Elections

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Politics Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

By Funmilayo Omidiji

The battle line between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the leading opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn as the Edo State, South South Nigeria Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has vowed all attempts to use the Military force to rig, will be resisted by the people, in the coming general elections.

Governor Oshiomhole made the declaration Wednesday, in Benin, the State capital during the Sixth Years Anniversary of his administration.

Making reference to a recent statement credited to President Goodluck Jonathan when in the State, that it would “fall” to the ruling PDP, Oshiomhole told the party supporters who attended the anniversary held at the popular Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, that the word connoted a heavy meaning, therefore serious attention must be paid to it especially as the country matches to another general elections.

The former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) stressed that the word signified “collapse” and a military terminology used when plotting to launch an attack against the enemies and opponents.

The Governor declared: “Edo State is not an enemy territory, so it cannot fall…” to the attacks of the ruling PDP. In contrary, the Comrade Governor as he is otherewise called, announced the entire South South States – Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers States would be captured both in the Presidential and other elections.

He observed that the construction of Oposu – Benin dual carriage road as mentioned by President Jonathan in his formal declaration speech Tuesday, was fake, as he asserted what was going on was a mere haphazard resurfacing of the axis, which he added called the attention of the Federal government after repeated harassment by him.

The Governor who rated 10 years administration of PDP in Edo as era of zero performance and suffering, stated his administration transformation programmes cut across the State three Senatorial districts, including the construction of roads to the communities and villages of the ruling party leaders and despite the fact that the State had produced many Federal Ministers of Works.

He accused one of the reasons allegedly adduced by the PDP government for not constrcting good roads leading to the state rural areas, was to allow election rigging, saying that his party would win election not by rigging, but through good performance.

Oshiomhole who also challenged the ruling party to come out and fault his performance testimonies, declared he had nothing again to live for in life, than the truth and justice. He stressed he feared no one, saying he is always in his best whenever he was “intimidated”, therefore challenged any attempt to use the Military Force to rig elections in the State “will be fire for fire”, insisting that the people of the State would stand by the truth and support justice.

He accused the ruling members in the State of diverting money meant for youth empowerment under SURE – P, for personal use, the reason why he stated he tagged the scheme “SURE – Fraud” , describing it, the height of corruption.

The former Labour Union leader affirmed the people of Edo has advanced in the political consciousness – abandoned politics of peanuts, but instaed have embraced long term empowerment, good and quality education for their children.

Governor Oshiomhole commended the Benin Paramount ruler and the Rt. Hon. Uyi Igbe – led members of the State House of Assembly for refusing to act against their conscience and be bribed with the sum of N50 Million each to impeach him some months ago.

Former Lagos State Governor and Chieftain of the APC, Bola Tinubu in his address, described Governor Oshiomhole development initiatives as “common sense revolution”, observed if the sitting President could watch the largest town, Mubi in Adamawa State being taken over by the insurgents without solution, such a leader he reiterated, should relinquish the office and go.

He observed that a wise President would have made such Tuesday public declaration indoors, so as to mourn the dead Potiskum Senior Secondary students, killed barely over 24 hours earlier.

The new entrant into the opposition party and Speaker Of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, in his remarks, also defined the PDP – led administration as a “mal functioning” system, therefore, needed a change in the socio –economic and political aspects.

Tambuwal described the PDP government as a “cabal”, therefore stated everything must be done to install a progressive government.

He charged Nigerians not to be deceived as they were, in 2010 general elections, by the religion and tribal sentiments.

APC chieftains who graced the anniversary included Governors: Aliu Wamako, Rochas Okorochas and Rotimi Amaechi of Sokoto, Imo and Rivers State respectively. Former Governors Adeniyi Adebayo and Timiprye Sylva of Ekiti and Bayelsa States respectively were also present.

Also in attendance were the former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former PDP National Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbe, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie -Oyegun and another national EXCO member, Engineer Segun Oni.