Edo guber poll is now template for future elections in Nigeria -Itua

Comrade Moni Mike made this known while chatting with our Edo State Correspondent on the election in his office in Benin.

” The Edo gubernatorial election was an excellent one, I give it  98 %. The various stakeholders were forthcoming and the two percent has to do with the few skirmishes that came up as a result of some disgruntled elements trying to snatch ballot boxes, financial inducement and some elements of over-voting. Few shootings here and there that we heard about. Generally speaking, the stakeholders as far as election is concerned did excellently well”.

Comrade Moni Mike observed that Edo electorate became alive to their responsibility and taking ownership of the electoral process by ensuring that all that it takes for an election to be free, fair and violence-free came into play thereby settings precedent for others to follow.

” Edo is not just called the heartbeat of the nation; Nigerians are beginning to understand why it is referred to as the heartbeat of the nation. Edo electorate took their destinies in their hands by taking complete ownership of the election. Though some persons thought it was going to be a catastrophic election; that federal might would be deployed negatively. ‘Lions’ and ‘tigers’ were roaring here and there. But Edo people came out in their tens of thousands to confront the so-called tigers, Lions, hyenas, hippopotamus, cheetahs. They came out and did the needful and followed up with the process of the election as spelt out by INEC. They followed up from the Ward collation centre to the State level. INEC was superlative with their new method of reporting results collated. For the fact that citizens took charge of virtually every part of the election; nobody could do ‘ wuruwuru’ and the areas they attempted to do that, citizens confronted them. Some of the Returning Officers were caught and told to do the wish of the people as exemplified during the election”.

While stressing that Edo State is not like other states of the Federation, he averred that the people here are politically wired, intellectually strong and mentally alert hence they are pacesetters.

” What happened in Edo gubernatorial election is going to revibrate across the federation. Edo had made a categorical statement and you will see what is going to happen between now and year 2023. Right from the local government elections to the federal level, there is going to change. Edo state has set the pace and other states are happy and willing to follow”.

He used the opportunity to commend INEC, Security Agencies, international bodies and the Edos in the diaspora and other stakeholders for living up to expectations noting that Edo gubernatorial election so far is widely acclaimed as the best election conducted under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Comrade Moni Mike expressed appreciation to President Buhari for not deploying federal might in a negative way as people expected and also thanked the international community for beaming their searchlights on Nigeria and specifically on Edo State.

He pointed out that those that wanted to subvert the will of the people had themselves subverted because the people had permanently eliminated election riggers in Edo by using a hundred inches nail to nail their coffin.

Comrade Moni Mike congratulated Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and his Deputy Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu for their victory at the polls urging them to build on their laudable achievements over the years.