Edo 2012 Election: Princewill Congratulates Oshiomhole, others


Prince Tonye Princewill, a PDP Chieftain and the Leader of Princewill Political Associates (PPA) expressed his happiness and joy over the peaceful and successful conduct of the Edo State 2012 Gubernatorial election. According to him, “With the declaration by INEC of the victory of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, as the Governor- Elect of Edo State under a very tensed atmosphere characterized by the massive deployment of soldiers & security agents that practically took over the State; a victory secured under this situation is worth celebrating by every true democrat. It simply demonstrates that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria”. The Prince went further to commend and congratulate President Jonathan Goodluck for living up to his promise to allow the votes, the will and the verdict of the people of Edo State to prevail not minding that our party the PDP was one of the parties that contested in the election and was even among the firsts to congratulate the Comrade Governor for a well-deserved victory over our party. This act is only attributable to statesmen!


With Governor Oshiomhole polling over 73% of the votes cast against the PDP’s Candidate who polled 23% of the total vote cast simply demonstrates that our people have woken up to the reality that only outstanding performance by candidates in any election should be the yardstick for re-election and not necessarily the party one belongs. Political parties are enjoined in this regard to allow popular candidates with proven integrity, unblemished track record and capable of meeting the yearning and aspirations of the electorates be the party flag bearers in elections they wish to win.


This victory has clearly demonstrated the implicit confidence the people of Edo State repose on the Comrade Governor, “I plead with him not to disappoint the people but should ruthlessly tackle the myriad of problems confronting the people. As a welfarist, Adams Oshiomole has a reputation for embarking on people’s orientated projects that has brought succor to the people of Edo State and urged him not to relent in embarking on more developmental projects that will take the State to higher glory as history will always be there to judge him, the Prince remarked.


The Prince equally commended Prof Jega, the INEC Boss, for a commendable feat achieved in this regard not minding very obvious embarrassing situations in most of the polling stations as some voters could not find their names on the voters register. He advised Prof Jega and his team to use the achievements and short comings recorded in the Edo State Governorship elections to perfect their acts for future elections especially in the area of logistics.


According to the Returning Officer, Prof Osayuki Oshodi, who officially announced the results of the election at INEC headquarters in Benin City, said Adams Oshiomhole of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) scored 477,478 votes to Maj.-Gen.Charles Airhiavbere of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 144, 235 votes, while Chief Solomon Edebiri of All Nigeria Peoples Party scored 3,642 votes to come third; while Mr Roland Izebuwa of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) came fourth with 2,793 votes and Mr Frank Ukonga of Social Democratic Movement Party (SDMP) followed with 807 votes. Mr Andrew Igwemoh of Labour Party (LP) scored 604 votes, while Mr. Paul Orumhenwese of National Conscience Party (NCP) scored 540 votes in the contest.


Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,Media Consultant, PPA