Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji
Aminu Bello Masari, former Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Chief Audu Ogbeh, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, among others stormed Benin
City, yesterday, to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the
administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the formal launch of
the All Progressives party (APC) in the state.
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was filled to capacity at a rally to
climax the activities marking the anniversary, even as the Governor
assured the people that his administration would focus on on the
economy in the second term.
The event which also was used for the launch of the All Progressive
Congress attracted the cream of top APC chieftains including the
Interim Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, the national leader
of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, former Head of State, Gen Mohammadu
Buhari , Audu Ogbeh, Alhaji Bello Masari and Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Oshiomhole said "the challenge is to
focus on the economy. Having spent so much to build infrastructure,
this is meant to create enabling environment for business to thrive. I
am happy at the response we are getting. The private sector, from
agriculture to palm oil, they are all coming to Edo State to set up
business".
"We have people who are coming to Edo state to set up fertilizer
plant. We are refocusing on security and appreciate the role of our
security agencies. Our House of Assembly have risen to the occasion
and has approved death penalty for kidnappers and Edo state is no
longer safe for criminals because this governor will sign death
warrant as soon as it comes my way.
"We are delivering and not just talking. In our second term we have
started commissioning projects. Over the past three days we have
commissioned five roads and the five junction and we have more than
one hundred projects to commission between now and December, you will
see all the things that we have been doing with your money'
"Between November last year and November this year we have paid to
major contractors about 36billion naira certificate generated from
road construction, schools construction and hospital construction and
we recognize that our allocation from Abuja is barely over four
billion" he said.
Oshiomole declared "every month we pay to contractors about three
billon naira. Edo State devotes about 85% of the federal revenue on
capital projects that people can see. Our market women who were in the
past used during election and abandoned, we have empowered them by
giving them cash to rebuild their markets.
"Today I want to remind you of how we started. In the past Edo State
was a one party state, controlled and manipulated and dehumanised by a
few godfather who turned the state to a personal estate. The were
celebrated not for fixing roads, electricity. Education or healthcare,
but celebrated for declaring winners as losers.
"Based on my background I know that anything that is not based on
truth, anyone who did not derive his power from the affection of the
people, and anyone who relies on hidden instrument of coercion as a
basis of compelling the people will not last.
"Today anywhere in the world every Edo man can beat his chest and say
that we are responsible for the election of our steward. The security
of the tenure of that steward is in the hands of the electorate. We
recognize that relying the federation account will not bring
development and the responsibility of government goes beyond going to
Abuja to collect a check and coming back home to pay salaries", he
added.
"From Edo South to North to Central, our people are witnessing new
roads, new schools, new health centres . In Esan land where they told
us water is impossible; as we speak they are fetching water in Ekpoma.
Everything they said was impossible, your steward, guided by your
leader , we are delivering.
In a good will message, the Interim Chairman of the APC Chef Bisi
Akande said Edo State people had always wanted to be counted among the
progressives.
On his part the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said
Oshiomhole has made a change in the state.
"Five years ago, Oshiomhole won the election and made the people the
cornerstone of his development. Ever since he started he has not
looked back. Today we have witnessed a phenomenon development in Edo
State", he said.
General Muhammadu Buhari on his part said the people of Edo State
have witnessed five years of tremendous development now know the
difference and the people outside have also seen the difference.
He said the APC is determined to come and secure this country so that
people can move, adding that the APC is also determined to stop
terrorism and kidnapping when it assumes power at the centre.
The Esogban of Benin, Chief David edebiri who also spoke at the
anniversary celebration said the APC is destined to win the
Presidency.
He said: "the new party you people belong to, the APC is destined to
rule this country. I want to say again and again that for many years
to come, anybody sponsored by Oshiomhole's party will continue to win
elections in Edo State.
"I want to say that the same oracle that spoke before has again spoken
that in the coming election, your party will win the Presidency.
Oshiomhole is a man to be respected", he said.
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