Edo State: ‘Comrade Governor’ Changes the Question 

Last week, Edo State recorded an impressive feat. Following three rigged elections by the PDP, beginning in 1979, a courageous Court of Appeal gave justice to Adams Oshiomole of the AC, upholding the judgment of the lower court that he did win the 2007 gubernatorial contest. 

In doing that, it threw out of office Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor. In April last year, Mr. Osunbor was declared winner of the race by a badly-compromised Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Justice took a little while in coming, but it finally arrived for the khaki-clad labour leader, who would rather be called “Mr. Governor,” not “His Excellency.” 

Professor Osunbor was neither a bad person nor a bad governor. But he was the beneficiary of a flawed system put in place by his ruthless party and a licentious president. The judgment is the right one, and the people of Edo State have received the governor for whom they voted. 

Mr. Oshiomole himself recognizes that it is not enough simply to move into Government House. Having returned the will of the people to them, he is challenged to demonstrate its viability. He must rehabilitate and re-energize a state that used to pride itself on being the nation’s pace-setter in many respects. Speaking as a citizen of the state, we all know we have the resources to regain this pre-eminence through pure hard work. 

Mr. Oshiomole has declared his intention to address unemployment and public safety, and I agree with him. But there is a limit to the number of jobs the government can responsibly create. The more realistic strategy is to create the conditions that would enable jobs to flower by attracting investors. 

For nearly 10 years, there was either no governance in Edo State, or it belonged to an exclusive looting club. The AC administration must prove that it is different, and serious. Edo State loot must be returned to the state, and invested in the state. Particular attention is required in education, and in rebuilding the physical and ethical infrastructure of this proud state. 

Robot  # 1 | 16.11.2008 11:22

Edo State: ‘Comrade Governor’ Changes the Question Last week, Edo State recorded an impressive feat.Following three rigged elections by the PDP, beginning in 1979, a courageous Court of Appeal gave justice to Adams Oshiomole of the AC, upholding the judgment of the lower court that he did win the 2007 gubernatorial contest. In doing that, it threw out of office Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor.In April last year, Mr. Osunbor was declared winner of the race by a badly-compromised Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).Justice took a little while in coming, but it finally arrived for the khaki-clad labour leader, who would rather be called “Mr. Governor,” not “His Excellency.” Professor Osunbor was neither a bad person nor a bad governor.But he was the beneficiary of a flawed system put in place by his ruthless party and a licentious president.&n...Read the full article.

Clearwater  # 2 | 16.11.2008 15:20

Sonala, Thanks for your crisp and joyfull article. Congratulation to you as well as an Edo - Edos fought behind Adams to get this justice - obviously God has not forgotten us "Edos" Despite all their Godfatherism: people who thinks that a whole state belongs to them, people who wants to impose rulers or who have being imposing rulers have been dissapointed and pulled back to their drawing tables. The politics of Edo State has become very interesting since last year after governotarial election. Prof. Osunbo, did his best while seating on a post that was not his. Thank God he could not mis-direct the good people of Edo state. Expecially now: Edo house of assembly has PDP majority - this guys have their ways of understanding bills before passsing them - I hope you know what I mean - Adams has to find a very high diplomatic way in getting his policies through without doing it the way they understand . Majority of the Local government chairmen belong to PDP which is another challenge. The road is very long but a step has being taken. I can see good things coming to Edos, next time you visit home "Edo" you will difinately see changes. Congratulations Edos, God bless Edos and God bless the federal republic of Nigeria