This was previously published in January 2008.  However, in light of Adams Oshiomhole's eventual victory in the courts and swearing-in as Governor, I thought it might be apropos of a re-issue - if you concur.

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First published January 23 2008.

EDO STATE AND THE ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL

By Michael Egbejumi-David

In the very early hours of Monday 16^th April 2007, then President Olusegun Obasanjo flew to Benin. He had to fly you see because the Shagamu – Ọrẹ – Benin road had become truly knackered. He arrived in the dead of the night and headed straight for Government House where he woke up the lushiest moustache in the land, Lucky Igbinedion. With Lucky in tow, he went to the quarters of one Mallam Mohammed Abubakar Ahmadu. Mallam Ahmadu was the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State. This poor soul had been prevaricating in announcing Edo State’s gubernatorial election results following the “do-or-die” election. The Independent Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Chairman, Maurice Iwu had instructed him to stick to the script and announce “the results” but Mallam Ahmadu demurred. The numbers just weren’t agreeable enough for easy manipulation. In any event, Obasanjo thoroughly dressed down the Mallam and threw in a couple of threats for emphasis. He assured Ahmadu and Lucky that if he (OBJ) was not hearing the results over his Akamu and Akara when he was back in Abuja, hell (aka EFCC) will come a-calling for openers. He left Lucky behind to continue the strong arm tactics.

It was therefore a completely flustered Mallam Ahmadu that gave one of the most inept, disorganised and anguished election result press conferences later that morning at about 10:30. He announced the winner of the April 14^th contest as Professor Oserheimen Osunbor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 329,740 votes. The Action Congress (AC) candidate, Adams Oshiomhole was assigned a total of 197,472 votes. At least, one of the other Parties candidate was not awarded even one single vote. I have tidied it up nicely here. Mallam Ahmadu’s presentation was very incoherent and harried. He stumbled over every figure and sentence. He adjusted and re-adjusted them on live TV. In the end, the pressure got to him and he bolted from the scene.

In the course of prosecuting his do-or-die 2007 elections, OBJ was accosted by the Oba of Benin with lamentations about the sorry pass Edo State had come to under the leadership of the vacuous and very clueless Lucky Igbinedion. Obasanjo gave the monarch his words that he would ensure that the next Governor of that State is a competent person with a working head on his or her shoulders. Consequently, he forced through the candidacy of Prof Osunbor – indeed a decent and very competent gentleman. Unfortunately by this time, the damage had been done. Lucky had thoroughly put nearly every Edo person off the PDP. If Jesus or even Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia had contested under the umbrella of the PDP, they would have lost. The Edo people were always going to look elsewhere for their governor.

Now, why was Mallam Ahmadu having a hard time with the election results? He happened to be a latecomer to the scene and was not yet properly indoctrinated into the politics of Edo State as ably orchestrated by the one and only Chief Tony Anenih. To put things in proper focus: The previous Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State was one Mr Martins Okunfolarin. He arrived Edo State Saturday 31st March 2007. He checked himself into the comfortable splendour of the Excalibur Hotel, G.R.A. Benin. Twenty four hours later – that is, on Sunday 1st April, 2007, he proceeded to Uromi in the company of another Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Austin Okojie, who hails from Edo but was then serving in Benue State to pay homage and strategise with Chief Tony Anenih on the forthcoming elections. Anenih promptly handed Mr Okunfolarin a comprehensive list of Ad-hoc Staff for the State INEC. These people were to be used as Presiding Officers, Polling Clerks, etc in the coming elections. Curiously these three gentlemen were later joined by a former gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in Edo State Mr Odion Ugbesia. The tête-à-tête continued until about 12:30pm.

As would be expected, the other Political Parties and their various candidates raised strenuous objections at this flagrant abuse and partisanship. Particularly vehement in his protestations was the AC gubernatorial candidate. Eventual, Iwu had no choice but to recall Mr Okunfolarin for his glaring indiscretion and replaced him with Mallam Ahmadu. 

The election itself was not trouble free; however all the projections point to a very comfortable victory for the AC candidate, Adams Oshiomhole. In fact, the results were not even going to be close. Therein laid the troubles of Mallam Mohammed Ahmadu. Well, since Mohammed wasn’t going to go to the mountain, OBJ went to Mohammed. In the end, they all ended up at the Electoral Tribunal. 

Now, unlike some other States (Delta comes to mind), the Electoral Tribunal in Edo seems to be going about its business meticulously and fairly; albeit slowly. Late November last year, the Tribunal ordered a recount of the votes in twelve Local Government Areas. INEC predictably objected but the Tribunal took no notice of its limp objections. The results of the recount came-in on the 29^th of the same month. Predictably, the actual number of votes counted did not tally at all with the final figures announced by the State INEC back in April 2007. For example, while the recounted ballot papers for Esan Central Local Government totalled 15,378 votes, the figure previously released by INEC was 33,412. Also, while the recounted votes for Uhunwmonde Local Government were 46,069, INEC had it as 35,509. For Orhionmwon Local Government, the recounted votes were 39,721 while previously announced INEC figure was 58,869. This pattern of grossly inflated figures was the same for all twelve Local Government Areas. No prices for correctly guessing the beneficiary of those extra votes. 

Well, two weeks ago in Benin, INEC hastily wound up its case at the Tribunal. Originally, its Counsels had intended to call forty six (46) witnesses to testify for INEC. The first three witnesses called promptly testified that indeed there were widespread vote manipulations in the April 14^th Election – precisely what INEC’s Lawyers didn’t want to hear. So INEC hurriedly closed its case. The ball is now literarily in Osunbor’s lawyers’ court. Clearly it is now an uphill task for the good Professor to hold on to the governorship of that very cultured State.

demdem@hotmail.co.uk

Robot  Villager

# 1 This was previously published in January 2008. However, in light of Adams Oshiomhole's eventual victory in the courts and swearing-in as Governor, I thought it might be apropos ofa re-issue - if you concur. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ First published January 23 2008. EDOSTATE AND THE ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL By Michael Egbejumi-David In the very early hours of Monday 16th April 2007, then President Olusegun Obasanjo flew to Benin.He had to fly you see because the Shagamu – Ọrẹ – Benin road had become truly knackered.He arrived in the dead of the night and headed straight for Government House where he woke up...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 14.11.2008 01:41

Seun Fayomade  JJC

# 2 The Edo State and several election tribunals in various states of the federation is a pointer to the weak electoral system in the country. To help solve this problem,the State legislature and National Assembly need to urgently look into a bill that will ensure that election fraud and mal-practise is reduced to the bearest minimum. The bill will prescribe punishment for the individuals and parties found culpable in election fraud matters. But i doubt if the present crop of legislators will be willing to look into such a bill since a majority of the members are very much aware of there level of complicity in ensuring there election. Posted by Seun Fayomade| 14.11.2008 04:28

Tsohon Soja  Villager

# 3 While I congratulate Adams Oshiomole for the judicial victory, I do not understand the message such a well imformed personality of high (?) reputation is sending by his 'visit' to Aso Rock to 'pledge his loyalty to the president'. He was looking so flustered, ruffled and beggerly on TV, while speaking with reporters during the visit. As I grieve over this, I await the new Edo State first lady's version of the visit to 'Mother of the nation' - Hajiya Turai Yar Adua. Just watch it she (Oshiomole's wife) will be veiled like a 'good Muslim woman', because that is the winning image formula among 'notable' Nigerian women now. Can you beat that? In Stella's times, she would have visited us with a show of her ageless(?) clivage in that tight undersized shirts which women of those days wore. I thought Nigeria is a Federal democracy, which means in concept, the Edo State governor, like every other one owes first loyalty to his state's citizens who voted him to the responsibility (I hate to say - 'voted to power') and the nation, not in a personality, even if he or she occupies the office of the President of the Federal Republic. Each state is an autonomous federal unit. Nigerian politicians while they berate at every oppurtunity - Military rule, themselves behave more military than soldiers. From convoys to gun-totting body guards, first families and even call the president - Oga! to effect. I am really worried about this unfortunate culture that is building. I read Oshiomole's action as a quick indication to the PDP that he is not an 'Atiku boy', as is fashionable now - until the courts probably declare 'Atiku' president (then you will see another frenzy of side-steps and loyalty declarations). Please note that I am not an Atiku supporter in any way. Am just dealing on the facts of the 'sychophacy tradition' militating against the growth of true federal democracy in Nigeria. The judiciary confirmed Oshiomole's 'people given mandate'. He should have faith in God, the people and the judiciary. By this outreach to PDP, him, just like those shameless ANPP governors after using 'Buhari', are proving that there will be no 'credible opposition' in Nigeria. We might as well redo the constitution and just have a one-party state, since PDP has declared it will rule for the next 60 years, while the likes of Oshiomole (Edo), Yuguda (Bauchi), Shinkafi (Zamfara)and Sheriff (Bornu) are proving to be sheep (PDP) in opposition (AC, ANPP) clothing. MAy Allah guide us. Ameen. Posted by Tsohon Soja| 15.11.2008 09:21

Exxcuzme  Villager

# 4 =Tsohon Soja;290200> I thought Nigeria is a Federal democracy, Military rule, themselves behave more military than soldiers. From convoys to gun-totting body guards, first families and even call the president - Oga! to effect. I am really worried about this unfortunate culture that is building.... ......against the growth of true federal democracy in Nigeria. MAy Allah guide us. Ameen. Howdy Tsohon Soja, Long time no hear from u na. Did you read http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/nvs/nigerian-army-reality-as-seen-from-a-soldier-s-perspective-p.html It will be nice to read your take on the Naija Military especially since you are an Officer and a Northerner(right?) Posted by Exxcuzme| 15.11.2008 12:53