September 27, 2020
As Nigerians continue to react to the political tsunami that flushed gladiators and money bags in Edo State into a deep sea, a versatile PDP grassroot mobiliser and commentator in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State and SSA to Governor Okowa on Health Monitoring, Dr Michael Nwoko has described the outcome of Edo 2020 gubernatorial election as people’s power at play.
He also described the Edo scenario as a birth of a new political movement, which evolved through the resolve of the people to resist political imposition, money-bags and godfatherism.
Three Edo people elected a candidate of their choice based on track records, competence and capacity to deliver on campaign promises.
The SSA noted that Edo indigenes have demonstrated that power resides on the people, which is the basic crux of democracy and urged Nigerians to build on the foundation of the new order to enthrone true and lasting democracy in the country by ensuring that the Edo experiment was consolidated and replicated in Ondo and Anambra States and in the 2023 general elections.
He applauded Governor Okowa for the pivotal role he played in the success story of the Edo experiment, which resulted in the victory of Governor Obaseki.
Nwoko also noted that some extraneous factors like the US and EU visa ban on perpetrators of electoral violence and President Buhari’s resolve to strengthen democratic institutions in the country have helped to deter electoral malpractice and violence during the election and therefore ensuring that the voice of the people prevailed.
Dr. Nwoko spoke when he featured on Delta Broadcasting Service Radio program ‘FRANKTALK’ an audience participation program, featuring Edo 2020 and its implications on Nigerian democracy, anchored by Comrade Jude Agbeike on Tuesday September 22, 2020.
According to him, ‘Edo 2020 gubernatorial election is a clear demonstration of people’s power at play and it signals a birth of a new political movement which evolved from the resolve of the people to resist political imposition, money bags and Godfatherism and elect a candidate of their choice based on his track records, competence and capacity to deliver on campaign promises.” “Governor Obaseki has performed excellently well in his first tenure, he needed second tenure to consolidate on his achievements but he had serious issues with his estranged political Godfather, who decided to support another candidate, but Edo electorate who were satisfied with the performance of Governor Obaseki decided to renew his mandate for another four years. It all demonstrates the ability of the people to elect a candidate of their choice and mark the beginning of actual democracy in Nigeria. Before now we were under experimental democracy but what happened in Edo State,
restored the power of the people to elect a candidate of their choice without recourse to the position of God Fathers .This will make anybody elected into position to be accountable to the people.” This is the hallmark of real democracy, which is defined as the “government of the people, by the people and for the people”. It clearly indicates that the people have a say on who governs them, that they have the power to elect their Governor who will be accountable to them.”
“At this juncture I would like place on record the pivotal role played by His Excellency Sen Dr Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of Delta State, a man whom I describe as a political colossus who understands how to win elections. As the Chairman of the South South Governor’s forum, he did not only mobilize all the political forces in the zone in support of Obaseki but also campaigned vigorously with Obaseki at the Grass root. The show of brotherly love exhibited by Governor Okowa and Governor Wike emboldened and encouraged Edo electorate to come out in their large numbers to vote their conscience.
Ofcourse it is a good thing to have all the States in south South under PDP and because they share similar ideology, cooperation on common solution to the economic, security and developmental challenges facing the zone can easily be addressed.”.
” The US visa ban on perpetrators of electoral violence in Nigeria and President Buhari’s resolve to strengthen the institutions of democracy in Nigeria helped to deter electoral malpractice actors and those who perpetrate violence during elections. It is my wish that this feat be replicated in Ondo and Anambra States and in the 2023 general elections..”
“Ize Iyamu should Congratulate Obaseki, he should take a cue from the National caretaker committee of his party the APC who have congratulated Obaseki, even President Buhari have praised INEC for conducting a free, fair and transparent election and have congratulated Obaseki.”
“Recall that Governor Obaseki was declared winner of the Edo State 2020 governorship election held on Saturday September 19.
Obaseki of PDP pulled a total of 307, 955 votes to beat his rival Pastor Ize Iyamu who came second position with 223,529 votes. Governor Obaseki won Pastor Ize Iyamu with a margin of 84, 336 votes winning 13 out of the 18 LGAs in the State, this is a landslide victory and I do not think there is any basis for going to the tribunal. They should display the spirit of sportsmanship and allow Governor Obaseki to deliver his campaign promises to Edo people and not to cause unnecessary distraction to him.,”
He added, “I want once again commend our dynamic and ebullient Governor, His
Excellency, Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, for the marvelous leadership role he played in ensuring that the wish of Edo people prevailed. Congratulations Governor Obaseki”.
