15th July, 2012
Jethro Ibileke, Eromosele Ebhomele & Folarin Ademosun
The serenity of Benin City, the capital of Edo State, ruptured in wild jubilation this morning after Governor Adams Oshiomole was declared winner of the state’s governorship election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, stated that Oshiomole polled 477,478 votes against the 144, 235 votes garnered by his arch rival, Charles Airhiavbere of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
There had been serious tension in the state while the exercise was on-going, but immediately news broke out this morning that Governor Oshiomhole won the election, residents of the state rushed out in wild jubilation some with their night gowns.Some youths also took to the streets almost nude just to express their joy.
PM.News reports that even churches within the state were affected as many refused to turn up for the usual Sunday service. Even those already in some of the churches rushed out immediately they got wind of the result.They defied the preachers with some of them collecting brooms from neighbours and friends just to show their support for the Governor.The result showed that the ACN candidate won in all the 18 Local Government Areas in the state with a landslide.
Declaring the result at the INEC office in Benin, the Returning Officer said: “I Professor Osayuike Oshodin, the returning officer of the 14 July governorship election, having satisfied the law of the electoral act, I hereby declared Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the winner of the election.”Candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Solomon Edebiri, polled 3, 642; Roland Izevbuwa of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) scored 2, 793; Andrew Igwemoh of the Labour Party (LP) scored 604, Orumense of the National Conscience Party (NCP) 540 while Frank Onaivi Ukonga of the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP) polled 807 votes respectively.
According to Oshodin, 1, 651, 099 million total voters registered in the state and 647, 698 were total votes were cast.He put the valid votes at 630, 099 while a total of 17, 599 votes were rejected.
Responding to the Governor’s victory, Chairman of the Oshiomhole Campaign Organization, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who commended the performance of the INEC over the election, attributed the victory to hard work and performance on the part of the governor. “The Comrade Governor has done so well in all the 18 Local Government Areas, and the result is a reflection. “People truly appreciate what he has done, and it also shows that our people can no longer be deceived or fooled. “If you want to be governor, you must be ready to perform. Tribal sentiment cannot work. “You can see that his victory is widespread, cutting across the three senatorial districts and the 18 Local Government Areas. “Overwhelmingly, the people of Edo State have endorsed him and we want him to continue the good work he has been doing.
Agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Martins Osakwe, refused to respond to questions from journalists, saying that the party leadership would be in position to comment on it. He however gave a personal commendation to Adams Oshiomhole for coming out victorious in the election.