‘The End Of Godfatherism’: PDP Chieftains Hail Obaseki’s Re-Election As Edo Governor
Congratulatory messages have been pouring from chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after Godwin Obaseki was re-elected as the Governor of Edo State.
Governor Obaseki, returned elected on Sunday after polling the highest votes in the keenly-contested poll conducted on Saturday, defeated his main rival and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
And for a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Obaseki’s win is an “end to godfatherism” and a “new dawn” in Edo State.
“There is a new dawn in Edo State, and the hard-won victory of Governor Obaseki is not just a victory, but a Declaration of Independence from the anti-democratic forces of godfatherism and militarism,” Atiku who contested the presidential seat under the PDP in 2019 tweeted Sunday.
“No victory could be sweeter than this, and I heartily congratulate the Governor and the good people of Edo state for their resilience in the face of the forces arrayed against them.”
Although they were fears in many quarters that the election might turn violent, Atiku said the poll was largely peaceful, describing Obaseki’s re-election as “new record” in Nigeria’s democracy.
“I also seize this opportunity to thank His Royal Highness, the Oba of Benin, Omo N’oba N’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo, Ewuare II, for the fatherly role he played as a neutral catalyst for peace,” Atiku added.
He equally lauded members of the PDP for supporting Obaseki who had defected from the APC after he was disqualified from the party’s primary, urging him to deliver good governance to the people of Edo State.
“In good times, we will walk beside you. In bad times, we will be your loyal ‘comrade’,” while calling on him to extend a hand of friendship to Ize-Iyamu. “We will never be a turncoat.”
‘Historic Victory’
The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, equally sent his congratulatory message to the re-elected Edo leader who stating that another term for Obaseki is an indication that the people’s choice will always prevail.
“With their loud and irrefutable votes in #EdoDecides, the people of Edo State have sent a strong message that they choose to continue under Governor Godwin Obaseki’s development agenda to Make Edo Great Again!”Okowa tweeted, Sunday.
‘Power Belongs To The People’
“I congratulate my colleague and brother, Governor Obaseki on his victory at the just-concluded Edo State gubernatorial elections,” the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, also said in his message to the Edo Governor.
“Your win is a victory for Edo State and our great party, PDP. It also validates that truly, power belongs to the people.”
