By Andy Asemota
The reception held incelebration of the victory
of Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo,has revealed his profile
as a trouble-shooting maestro, Hilary Edobor, writes.
On Friday, November 29, Nigerians got a rude television politics package via Athena Centre’s Review of Edo State Gubernatorial Election with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Tv that was compromised by design.
The arrowhead of the little-known Athena Centre and former minister of aviation, Osita Chidoka, deviously announced on the programme that the governorship candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State rather than the present governor won the September 21 poll.
The immediate implication of that statement is that the courts or election tribunal that are the arbiters in the election matter may be negatively influenced by a desperate politician and a senior journalist eager to get what to eat wherever they can find food. What a bitter irony!
Nigerians were outraged. It was a most unusual presentation from multiple-awards winning television station and no doubt subjudicial as both the PDP and the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) had joined issues in court.
Nigerians were stupefied because the ruling party is still in a celebration mood after being declared by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as winner of that hard fought election.
Nigerians, who were caught unawares by Channels Tv, the most unusual umpire in election dispute, have urged the relevant courts or authorities to promptly sanction both Chidoka and Okinbaloye for their grievous infractions to avoid further uncivilized presentations and devious announcements.
On the heels of that call, the kinsmen of Okpebholo, the Esan people in Edo Central Senatorial zone, organized a massive home coming reception at Esan Central Local Government Secretariat in celebration of the governor’s victory.
As the controversial Channel Tv broadcast was received with mixed feelings in the polity, it became obvious that Gov Okpebholo could no longer ignore it. In fact, many civil societies and others are looking up to the governor for direction; more so after President Bola Tinubu had declared he stood with the people of Edo State and Gov Okpebholo following the September 21st victory.
At the reception in his honour on Sunday, Okpebholo revealed an unshakable fidelity to truth and service, and faith in God – the morality credo that drives his principled life – and his tremendous sense of responsibility that are spoken of across the state.
Recounting his journey to the governor’s seat, Okpebholo gave a fuller account from which many can gain invaluable insight into his personality and the philosophical principles that drive his life.
He defended his electoral victory in this vein: “The people who wrote results and we’re announcing fake results on the internet, are the same people crying today that somebody rigged the election.
“It is sad to say that the criminals are crying today that they have lost and will continue to lose.
They are spending money day and night and wasting their money and will wait in vain
“Edo people have spoken; they have chosen the path of development, peace and unity, this is what Edo people have chosen and that is how it will remain.
“I want to thank Esan people for standing by me and ensuring a resounding victory. Thank you for the confidence reposed in me and thank you for your votes This crowd has shown that you you people voted for me.”I thank the traditional rulers in the entire Esan land, leaders of Esan land, party leaders and all those who stood by me to become the Governor of Edo State and above all, I give God the glory.”
Before that event, the governor was at the Winners Chapel of the Living Faith church Worldwide at Akho-Irrua in the Esan Central Local Government Area, where he worshipped alongside top functionaries of his administration.
The governor, in his remarks, expressed his trust in God and revealed that he contested the September 21 governorship poll without seeking help from native doctors or prophets in apparent reference to the pictures of the immediate past governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, who was reportedly seen in a compromising positions with some native doctors before the election that brought him (Obaseki) to office eight years ago.
Okpebholo specifically declared in the church: “I want to thank God for His wonderful deeds in my life as no one can accomplish this except God alone. My life is filled with testimonies and God has consistently granted me victory in all my endeavours.
“This may be the first instance where someone has contested an election without seeking help from native doctors or prophets. My faith is in Christ alone. If God does not will it. then let it not be done.”
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