15th July, 2012
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu have hailed the courage and determination of the people of Edo state, who defied all odds to vote and defend their votes in order to return Gov. Adams Oshiomhole to the state house for another four years of superlative action.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the good people of Edo state have shown, by the action, that true sovereignty lies with the people.
”The courageous and determined people of Edo state refused to be intimidated by the massive deployment of security forces by the PDP-controlled federal government. They overcame the shenanigans of a colluding INEC and rendered irrelevant the dirty tricks of misguided moneybags. In the end, they shut out the do-nothing PDP,” it said.
ACN said the lessons to be drawn from the party’s landslide victory over the PDP include that even one million soldiers cannot change the course of history when they confront a determined people, that there is always a reward for any elected official who truly serves the people, and that the people reserve the inalienable right to choose those who will lead them.
”But perhaps the biggest lesson for the PDP and its bunch of election manipulators, led by one Mr. Fixer who has now been fixed for good, is that no good advert can sell a bad product – which the PDP has become in Nigeria.
”The PDP went into the election with a huge war chest, backed by all the big names that included the President, his deputy, ministers and other top government officials, and still lost to the ACN, which could only muster its
party machinery and showcase the good works of its candidate in his first term. This shows that the so-called federal might is only useful if it can bring prosperity to the people,” the party said.
Also, the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a statement in Lagos saluting the the people of Edo state in returning Governor Oshiomhole to office for another term.
“Edo has taught us we can have democracy if we want it badly enough and if we organize to defeat the machinations of those who would rather lord over rather than serve us”, Tinubu said in the preface to his statement
The full statement reads:
“By handing Comrade Adams Oshiomhole an overwhelming victory in Saturday’s governorship election, the people of Edo state have served notice that “never again” in their state will the public’s mandate and right to pick the leaders of their choice be stolen.
I have talked to Governor Oshiomhole to congratulate him on this historic victory but I want to use this opportunity to formally and publicly commend him. I will also have you know that during our conversation, Governor Oshiomole did not boast or talk arrogantly. He understands the weight of the moment and that now, even more than during his first term, he must do honor to the trust the people have placed in him. He promised to be an even better servant of the people during these next four years. Governor Oshiomhole represents a break with the old. He represents a new brand of dedicated, intelligent and industrious leadership. He symbolizes the democratic mindset, the progressive ideals and the strong work ethic of the ACN.
This election was about more than Governor Oshiomhole and Edo State. It was a contest pitting democracy and the people on one side against the powerful and corrupt ruling political elite on the other.
As such, this victory signals a new chapter in our democratic struggle. Try as they might, this elite employed every old election rigging trick and invented some new ones. It deployed the behemoth weight of government and party to break the democratic aspirations of the people of Edo State. However, the people stood firm because they know the difference between democracy and despotism, between economic development and economic depression, between justice and injustice. The people demonstrated that where they stand united and vigilant the powerful and mean cannot dispossess them of their democratic rights. The people stood defiantly and democratically in the public square asserting their political rights and freedom. In the face of this popular demonstration, the powers that be were forced to retreat into the caverns and shadows of their political trickery and greed.
As such, this result also signals a new phase in the electoral battles yet to come. The people of Edo have shown that the popular will can bet vested interests when the people organize and to cast and then protect their votes. However, even amid today’s celebration of this democratic victory, I must speak a word of important caution. The political chicanery of the PDP has lost a major battle. Yet, the war is not over. They will regroup in their shadowy chambers and seek new more devious and effective ways to kidnap the people’s mandate in upcoming elections.
It is for people of other states to now take heart and learn lessons from what the people of Edo achieved. Edo has taught us we can have democracy if we want it badly enough and if we organize to defeat the machinations of those who would rather lord over rather than serve us.
The people of Edo have again given life to the words that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. We owe it to ourselves and the future of this nation, not to let this lesson go to waste. Thus, we celebrate democracy’s triumph in Edo but we shall also not lower our guard because we realize that anti-democratic forces still lurk underfoot
Once again, I join the comrade Governor to thank the people of Edo for a new 4-year mandate that was freely given. I thank and congratulate the members of our progressive and people-oriented party, Action Congress of Nigeria for their support, vigilance and courage. Our members stood their ground against harassment and did not succumb to the electoral manipulation of the PDP.
I also want to register a plea with INEC. Despite the resources at its disposal, INEC fell short once more. The rightful outcome was reached only because of the people’s diligence and was reached despite INEC obvious shortfalls. True, a few of INEC’s staff demonstrated professionalism but for the most part, INEC performed well below standard. Everywhere it fell down, its failures seemed to benefit the PDP. This pattern is more than unfortunate coincidence. With each election, INEC loses credibility as an impartial referee and looks more like a subsidiary of the PDP. INEC must mend its ways quickly. If it continues to degenerate into a subservient arm of the PDP, INEC will place democracy and civil order in dire jeopardy.”