Battle of Edo : Oba Dribbles Jonathan – We’ll Defeat Oshiomhole -President

Sunday Trust gathered that the Edo State’s top monarch, however, decided to meet Jonathan in an inner chamber, in an attempt to avoid giving a public blessing to the PDP’s governorship candidate. The Oba of Benin had earlier thrown his weight behind the candidature of incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who is seeking re-election under the […]

Sunday Trust gathered that the Edo State’s top monarch, however, decided to meet Jonathan in an inner chamber, in an attempt to avoid giving a public blessing to the PDP’s governorship candidate. The Oba of Benin had earlier thrown his weight behind the candidature of incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who is seeking re-election under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

 

In place of the Oba, the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, was delegated to receive the PDP visitors who had gone to Edo State in a rally to thrown their weight behind the retired Major-General Aihiavbere, facing the tough task of unseating Governor Oshiomhole.

In his prayers, the Iyase had said “our son, the president came on a courtesy visit and after his visit, he should have a safe journey home.”

Reacting to the odd incident that took place at the palace, the Publicity Secretary of PDP in Edo State, Pharm. Matthew Urhoghide, issued a press release saying the report was the mischief of the ACN-led government in the state.

He described it as “an untrue, wicked, mischievous and malicious lie that the Benin Monarch shunned the President, the PDP governorship candidate General Charles Airhiavbere and members of the President’s entourage.”

The Publicity Secretary stated that, “ At the palace, Oba Erediauwa who, for reasons that the Royal Palace may explain at a later date, could not have a formal and open reception for the visiting President, most courteously invited the President to his inner sanctum where they both had a special meeting.

“The Oba’s invitation of President Jonathan into his very highly restricted bedchamber should have been seen for what it really is – a special meeting, the content and attendance of which was restricted only to the need-to-know. Not many non-Benin sons and daughters, in the history of the Palace of the Oba of Benin, can claim to have been received in the special section where President Jonathan had audience with his Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin.”

Pharm Urhoghide added that, “A few weeks ago, he warmly received Vice President Namadi Sambo and his entourage who were in Benin for the same reason as President Jonathan and paid a courtesy visit on him.”

Meanwhile, President Jonathan, Vice President Sambo, Chief Tony Anenih and Edo State Chairman PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, yesterday boasted that the party will win the July 14, 2012 governorship election in the state.

They spoke at the grand finale gubernatorial campaign rally for PDP candidate Major General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) and his running mate Barrister Johnson Abolagba held at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.

President Jonathan, who renewed his call for a change in the way elections are being held in Nigeria, gave an assurance to provide 100 per cent security during the Edo State governorship election.

The President, who said he had got positive assurance on security from the Chief of Defence Staff and the Acting Inspector General of Police, stressed that thuggery, stuffing of ballot papers and other forms of electoral malpractices will not be tolerated.

“I come here to promise people that Edo will be one state that will show that example of how election should be conducted …PDP are the dominant party. As long as you mobilize, PDP will win. PDP will win. You will vote Airhiavbere and you will vote for peace, transformation, education and change,” Jonathan said.

Vice President Sambo, in his brief remarks, said “I’m happy to announce to you that I’m the chairman of this campaign. The promise made two weeks ago is that PDP will win in Edo and form a government on the 14th of July, 2012. I only want to thank people of Edo for being with us. In sha Allah, we will come here for swearing-in ceremony”.

Chief Anenih, who asked the President to ensure adequate security during the election, said all the candidates should be given the same opportunity on the election day. The former chairman of PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) said party members are ready to deliver Edo State to PDP in order to put in place a government that will be responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people through the provision of quality medical services and pipe-borne water among others.

He said the presence of President Jonathan had raised their hope and preparedness to take over the government of ‘Heart Beat’ state.

PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, however, appealed to party members and supporters that graced the rally to translate their large presence into victory on July 14.