Jonathan: I am Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria
Posted on 16 July 2012.
The people of Edo State celebrating Governor Oshiomhole’s victory
Below, is the statement that was released by Governor Oshiomhole after his victory at the polls.
“Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo on Sunday described President Goodluck Jonahan as a statesman and a man of honour.
Oshiomhole, who made the statement at a world press conference in Benin, attributed the peaceful conduct of the governorship election in Edo on Saturday to Jonathan’s determination to enthrone credible democracy in Nigeria.
“ I want to appreciate Mr President with his resolve and public pronouncement that he would provide adequate security for the people and the INEC staff before, during and after the election.
“I am glad that Mr President kept to his words of assurance that there would be no thuggery, hooliganism and violence during the Edo Governorship Election.
He said that the president had led by example, which is the hall mark of a statesman.
“He is indeed a statesman, a man of honour because there was adequate and effective presence of security agents on ground.
“I am impressed because the army actually played a neutral role .in the election,’’ he said.
On his victory at the polls, he congratulated his six opponents, saying he was willing to collaborate with them with a view to moving the state to a higher and better level.
He thanked the traditional institution, especially the palace of the Oba of Benin.
The governor said that “his majesty has shown and demonstrated true leadership qualities’’ since his assumption of office during his first term.
He assured the people of the state of his continued development stride, saying that their massive turnout at the poll as a testimony that there was a need for the people to rise above ethnic politics.
“We are all Edo people and should live and think alike if we have to bring rapid development to our people rather than dissipate our energies over frivolities such as ethnic politics,’’ he said (NAN)
Below, is the statement that was released by Nigerian political party, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) after Governor Oshiomhole’s victory at the polls.
“The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has 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.
In a statement issued in Lagos, Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the good people of Edo state have shown, by their 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, 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.
”The message that has been sent to the PDP by Edo voters is clear and unambiguous: Nigerians are ready and eager to send you packing from many more states and the central government in 2015, irrespective of the amount of dirty funds at your disposal, or the number of security forces you may deploy, because you have failed in meeting the hopes and aspirations of the people,” ACN said.”
Below, is the statement by the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonatan on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati.
“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulates Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on his re-election yesterday for another term in office.
President Jonathan also commends the Independent National Electoral Commission, its personnel and the nation’s security services for ensuring that the elections were free and fair in keeping with his administration’s commitment to continually strengthening democracy in Nigeria through the establishment of a more credible electoral system.
The President urges Governor Oshiomhole to receive the fresh mandate given to him yesterday by the people of Edo State as an endorsement of his outstanding performance in his first term and an expression of their desire for a continuation of his focused, purposeful and dynamic leadership.
He expects that the Governor will work even harder in his second term to justify the confidence in his leadership clearly expressed by the Edo State electorate yesterday and assures him that the Federal Government will continue to give all possible support and assistance for development in the state.
President Jonathan wishes the Comrade-Governor continued good health and a successful second term in the service of Edo State and Nigeria.”
Source of statement by Governor Oshiomhole and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN): Nigerian newspaper, Vanguard
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