Leadership of the Action Congress ofNigeria, which included four serving Governors, three former governors, servingSenators, Members of the House of Representatives and ex-ministers threw theirweight behind the re-election of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on the strength ofhis performance in his less than four years in office as Governor.
The ACN leaders who attended the rally atthe Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium which was filled to capacity by ACN supporters wereAsiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, National Chairman of the party,Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; Governor Ibikunle Amosun of OgunState; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of OsunState; Senator Chris Ngige, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State;Chief Audu Ogbe, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, Chief Tom Ikimi, Senator Ehigie Uzamere;Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State; Senator Domingo Obende;Hon Dino Melaye; Hon Samson Osagie of the House of Representatives, Alhaji LaiMohammed among many others.
Benin City, the capital of Edo State was infestive mood as party faithful and supporters trooped out in large numbers toattend the rally.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Oshiomholeof Edo State said July 14 is an opportunity for the people of Edo State towrite off those who underdeveloped the state
According to him, “this election is thefinal opportunity to bury the godfathers who underdeveloped the state. Thegodfathers are angry they can no longer feed on the common wealth of the peopleand they are now hungry. There is no nation in the world that has the resourcesit needs to meet all the needs of the people, but Nigeria has the resources tomeet the basic needs of the people, but does not have the resources to meet thegreed of the godfathers”.
Comrade Oshiomhole noted that, “when wecame in over three and half years ago they told us Edo was not viable but todaywe have shown that with prudent management of resources the government hasimpacted on the lives of the people.
“On assumption of office, we promised wewould aggressively address the urban renewal programme in Benin City and otherparts of the state. For the first time, Benin City wears a new look at nightand for the first time water is flowing in Edo Central, today our publicschools are far more beautiful than most private schools in Edo State. We haveshown we can build roads, provide water, build schools and hospital,” he noted.
The governor declared, “for us, politics iswith one purpose and that is to improve the life of the people. We seek a newmandate because Edo state is work in progress. We want to restore completelythe lost glory of the state.”
He said on the basis of studies carriedout, the government will continue during the second term to tackle the floodproblems and continue what has been started in other sectors.
“They said I am using Federal Governmentmoney to build primary and Junior Secondary Schools. But I ask them for tenyears when they were in power what did they do with the money, the shared itamong the godfathers.”
The governor commended the president forhis adherence to the principle of one man one vote and urged the Edo people notto be intimidated by the presence of soldiers in the state, saying they werearound to provide security and ensure that the election is rig-free.
The Governor urged the electorate to comeout en masse and vote on July 14 and ensure that they defend their votes.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who also spoke at the rallysaid a for Governor Adams Oshiomhole is a vote for the future. He said: “useyour votes to punish a man who called your children criminals. Go from door todoor in your neighbourhood and tell the people to vote for the ACN. Do not beafraid, because ad equate security will be provided.”
On his part, Governor Babatunde Fashola oflagos State said: “I’m glad to be back home. This was where I was made, I amproduct of the University of Benin and I am not a criminal. At a time likethis, all sorts of people come with promises, but you fought for four yearsago, you have seen the results. It is time to renew the social contract.
“When Oshiomhole came four years ago, Isaid he was going to build Airport, Akpakpava and other roads, they said it wasnot possible. PDP has ruined Nigerian national life. I know the Edo electorateis very intelligent. Nobody can deceive you. Defend your votes. When they giveyou money take it, but vote for the ACN.”
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state onhis part said, “the story of July 14th is not about Edo State butabout the future of our children, women and country. A revolution has startedin Edo State, that is what we are going to reconfirm on July 14.
The Governor Osun State, Ogbeni RaufAregbesola who also addressed the rally said: “all the Governors in the ACN aregenuine representatives of the people. I want to appeal to you to sustain yoursupport for ACN. This large turnout shows the Edo people are satisfied with Oshiomhole.I have no doubt that the people of Edo State know who their Governor is. Butthere is a conspiracy at the federal level and you must use your vote tofrustrate that conspiracy.” He asked the people above the age of 35 to wait atthe polling station after casting their votes and monitor the votes from thepolling units to the collation centres to ensure that the correct result isannounced, warning that there would be trouble if a fake result is announced.
On his part, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of OgunState said “Oshiomhole’s work has campaigned for him. The roads, schools,hospitals and others have campaigned for him.”
Other leaders who spoke at the rallyinclude Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Deputy National Chairman, DSouth South of theparty; Mrs Modino Emovon, Woman Leader of the party in Edo State; Senator ChrisNgige, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Prof Julius Ihonvbere and Aremo OlusegunOsoba.
Highpoint of the rally was the presentationof the ACN flag by the National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande to GovernorOshiomhole as the party’s flagbearer in the state.
Various music artistes, including award-winningmusician, Tu Face Idibia added colour to the rally with their hit tunes.
