The Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has said with the victory of the All Progressives Congress in the September 28 governorship election, he has effectively ended the era of godfatherism in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday declared Godwin Obaseki of the APC winner of the poll.
He polled 319,483 votes to defeat Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP, who scored 253,173 votes.
Mr. Oshiomhole told journalists after the result of the poll was declared that the victory of Mr. Obaseki, who he supported, had finally dismantled the rigging machine of political godfathers in the state.
According to the governor, the APC victory had humbled political figures like Tom Ikimi, Gabriel Igbinedion, Raymond Dokpesi, proprietor of the Africa Independent Television, all of the PDP.
“We have humbled Chief Tom Ikimi even in the local government he claimed to have created. We defeated Chief Raymond Dokpesi in his polling unit, his ward and his local government,” he said.
“That reassures that the ruthless deployment of media machinery is not enough to distort the will of Edo people to determine their choice.”
Meanwhile, the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said the people of Edo State made the right choice by electing Mr. Obaseki.
Mr. Ambode, who was the Chairman, APC National Campaign Committee for the election, said in a congratulatory message signed by his media aide, Habib Aruna, that the decision would ensure that the people of the state continue to receive the dividends of democracy.
He said, “Like I said during the grand rally of our great party – APC, at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin some few weeks back, Edo State, being the heartbeat of the South-South region, has all it takes to become another Lagos, and the decision of the people to speak with their votes in support of Obaseki is a signpost of their readiness for greatness and a testament to the monumental successes recorded in the last seven and half years by the incumbent Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
“We are enjoying the dividends of democracy in Lagos today because of the decision of the people to vote for continuity of good governance and I am glad that the people of Edo have also toed that path and the result will definitely translate to improved social services and welfare of the people.”
Mr. Ambode said judging by the antecedents of Mr. Obaseki, he was certain that Edo State was set for transformation and consolidation of the achievements of the outgoing administration in the state.
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