Rivers AC: What Oshiomhole’s Victory Portends

It was a Prince Kassim Afegbua, the Acting National Chairman, National Democratic Party, who said in a piece entitled, “Adams Oshiomhole: Waiting for Nigeria's Obama?” (before the November 11 2008 affirming the initial ruling of the Benin Election Petition Tribunal, that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was the duly elected Governor of Edo State instead of the INEC, PDP manipulated, and imposed candidate of Prof Osunbor) that were Obama to be in Kenya, his native country, perhaps, he would have been swallowed by the political intrigues of that country, which have left the country worse off in a 21st century era. The ability of Oshiomhole at sustaining the struggle thus far, in a political system that is heavily monetized, offers a lot of lessons for those who dare. No one gave Oshiomhole the chance to come this far in this struggle when he ventured into the murky waters of politics and decided to contest the governorship election.

Afegbue in that piece didn't mean only Kenya, but Kenya there was a metaphor. Like Oshiomhole, a lot of people have suffered in the political lifestyle in Nigeria, characterized by massive rigging and killings, expecially the ones Nigerians have experienced under the ruling PDP since democracy was attained in Nigeria in 1999.

The Rivers AC proudly stated that Democracy still has a future in Nigeria, if Oshiomhole could win at the Appeal Court. The party saw the winning as a historical verdict that has restored the stolen mandate of the people of Edo State and has proven that INEC under Prof Iwu was not only a rigging machine of PDP but was the greatest enemy of proper democratization of Nigeria .

Prince Tonye TJT Princewill the Rivers State Leader of Action Congress who was in America where he was observing the Obama election rushed to Benin to join the people of Edo State to celebrate their freedom from the shackles of poverty and launching into greatness as a result of today's historical verdict posited.

Hear Princewill: “ I am in Benin to congratulate my colleague, Leader and brother, Comrade Oshiomole for his steadfastness, ruggedness, courage, faith and belief in the rule of law and for following his case until victory was finally won for the people of Edo State. This result is the first true example of a people's voice through votes counting for something in Nigeria . That sad sham also known as the 2007 elections has a very thin silver lining and today we can see beyond the clouds. It is the Obama's effect revisited and we pray we see it over and over and over again. We thank and congratulate the courageous judges for proving once again that the Judiciary is the bastion of democracy and the hope of common man. I pray a similar courage should seep into all the veins of every true Nigerians. We sympathize with Nigerians that were brutalized, humiliated, caged and enslaved by the undemocratic elements personified by General Olusegun Obasanjo and his cohorts in PDP. To the people of Edo State we enjoy in your happiness and celebration of your victory over poverty programmed party, visionless and unfocussed Government of Prof Osunbor. As the State enters into a new dawn under one of the greatest gift of Action Congress to the people of Edo State, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomole who has proved himself as an astute administrator, a recognised patriot and a lover of his people, Edo State can now take its rightful position as a leading State in Nigeria. I can rightly state that Edo State is blessed with the Barack Obama in Nigeria in the person of Comrade Adams Oshiomole. He can be assured of my support in taking Edo State to the new Eldorado where the State truly belongs. I expect Prof Osunbor to tow the principled line of Senator John McCain the Republican Candidate in the last Presidential election by not only accepting defeat but also pledging support and loyalty to the person that truly won the mandate of the people of Edo State ”.

like many Nigerians, Rivers AC urges President Yar'Adua to live up to his pledge to bestow to Nigerians the spirit of Obama which is today the face of resilience, democracy worldwide by ensuring that the likes of Prof Iwu will never have anything to do with any democratic Institution in Nigeria and Nigerians can fulfil their political aspirations without fear to be rigged out and that the votes of the people will henceforth count in determining who rules our people. In an under normal civilized society one would have expected Prof Iwu and his cohorts in INEC to gracefully resign but knowing their background they will even prefer to be given a prolonged opportunity to turn Nigeria to an anarchist State with their new sophisticated method of rigging being put into practice throughout the States where a re-run election was recently conducted but God forbid.

Dr. Brian Wilfred is Communication Assistant to Prince TJT Princewill, Port Harcourt.