Election: ACN govs storm Edo for Oshiomhole

Ahead of the July 14 governorship election in Edo State, Action Congress of Nigeria governors on Saturday stormed the state to register their support for the party’s candidate, Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

The governors which included Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Dr. kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) were led by the ACN leader and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the party’s grand rally at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.

Addressing the tumultuous crowd, Oshiomhole, who is seeking re-election, said ACN members and supporters must not to be intimidated by likely heavy presence of soldiers and other security operatives in the state, during next Saturday’s governorship poll.

He said, “We should all commend President Goodluck Jonathan, who while addressing Peoples Democratic Party members, said there must be no thuggery during the election. He said there must be no ballot stuffing and no falsification of election results.

“The president said he had called the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff, both of whom assured him of adequate security during the poll.

“Go to the polling centre to cast your vote for the ACN, and do not be intimidated by the large number of soldiers, they are there to ensure peaceful conduct. Vote and stand by your votes; monitor your votes.”

Oshiomhole said he was seeking a re-election as governor to enable him take the state to greater heights

He said, “We are seeking your mandate to remain in office to completely restore the lost glory of Edo State. We have constructed roads with street lights; we have provided water for the people and we have built schools. Our children no longer sit on the bare floor in classrooms without roofs. We do not want these projects to be abandoned.

“Nigeria has the money to meet all the needs of Nigerians, but Nigeria does not have enough money to meet the needs of politicians who feed on the resources of the nation.”

Former governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun who recently defected from the All Nigeria Peoples Party to the ACN, also said, “We are prepared for all eventualities. Be prepared to come out to vote and be prepared to defend your votes.”

Former governor of Anambra state, Senator Chris Ngige, who was also present at the rally said Oshiomhole had transformed Edo State from an ancient city into a modern one.

Tinubu also urged Edo people to vote enmasse for Oshiomhole, adding that a vote for Oshiomhole was a vote for peace, development and progress for the state.

He said, “Today, there are no more floods in Benin City and there is no more sharing of the money. This is the time to vote for the future of your children.”

Similarly, Fashola said, “This is the time to renew the social contract that you made four years ago. By July 14, we will come back to celebrate the renewal of the social contract we signed four years ago.”

In the same vein, Aregbesola called on voters from 35 years and above to wait behind at the polling centres to defend their votes by ensuring that the votes were counted, recorded and collated before being taken to designated places.