Edo Election: How Anenih Contributed to Oshiomhole’s Victory

Contrary to permutations before the election that Chief Tony Anenih will deliver Edo Central Senatorial District to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oshiomhole won in all the local government areas in the state.

ionigeria.com investigations revealed that the preponderant majority of Edo people were tired of the overbearing influence of Chief Tony Anenih over who gets what, when and how in Edo State and were therefore determined to curb his excesses. A vote for PDP was in their estimation a vote for Chief Anenih.

It is pertinent to state that since 1999, Chief Anenih has been PDP’s Garrison Commander in Edo State, he determines who flies the Party’s tickets, who becomes Ministers, Commissioners, Speakers, Ambassadors etc.The zoning arrangement of PDP in the State is at his whims and caprices.

Our investiagations also revealed that the poor performance of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion of PDP worked in favour of Oshiomhole and against PDP. The people of the State simply did not want to go back to the era of ineptitude.

According to Hon. Samson Osagie, Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Governor Oshiomhole’s success at the polls could be attributed to “his performance , the presence of security personal who helped to ensure that hoodlums do not inflict violence on voters, the absence of a viable opponent who had viable alternative programmes, and the desire of Edo people to liberate themselves from Tony Anenih who has held down the development of our state”

In his reaction, the State Commissioner for Information, Louis Odion said, “Oshiomhole performed. The people saw the difference and so saw through the shenanigans of ethnic card that PDP tried to smuggle into the debate. The election outcome has shut out godfatherism for good in Edo State”.

For Barrister Henry Idahagbon, Secretary-General, Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation, the victory is attributable to “Edo peoples’ electoral sophistication and the need to permanently end godfatherism and Anenih’s hegemony on Edo politics”.

While also congratulating Governor Oshiomhole, President Goodluck Jonathan urged him to receive the fresh mandate as an endorsement of his outstanding performance in his first term in office.

Earlier in the day the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared Mr Adams Oshiomhole of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the winner of the governorship election, held on Saturday..

The Returning Officer, Prof Osayuki Oshodi, who officially announced the result of the election at INEC headquarter in Benin City, said Oshiomhole scored 477,478 votes to defeat five other candidates in the election.

Oshodi said Maj.-Gen.Charles Airhiavbere of the Peoples Democratic Party scored 144, 235 votes, while Chief Solomon Edebiri of All Nigeria Peoples Party scored 3,642 votes to come third.

He said Mr Roland Izeobuwe of Congress for Progressive Change came fourth with 2,793 votes and Mr Frank Ukonga of Social Democratic Movement Party followed with 807 votes.

 

GOV. ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE OF EDO (M), WITH SOME OF HIS AIDES AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE EDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION RESULT IN BENIN ON SUNDAY

Oshodi, who is the Vice-Chancellor of University of Benin, further announced that Mr Andrew Igwemoh of Labour Party scored 604 votes, while Mr Paul Orunmwese of National Conscience Party scored 540 votes in the contest,

He said that Oshiomhole, who is the incumbent, won in the 18 local government areas of the state and satisfied the requirements of the law to be declared winner of the contest.

“I, Prof Oshiodi as the returning officer, hereby certify that I was the returning officer of the July 14 governorship election and hereby declare that Oshiomhole having satisfied the requirement of the law and having scored the highest number of votes cast is hereby declared winner,’’ Oshodi declared.

{flike}