BENIN CITY – THE Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo on Saturday declared that those who conjured election results and announced same on social media during the governorship election are the same people crying that the polls were rigged.
Okpebholo spoke at the Esan Central Local Government Council Secretariat, venue of the homecoming reception held in celebration of his victory by the Esan people.
The governor while commending the people of the state for voting him to power said those who lost would continue to cry foul because their rigging strategies failed.
According to him, “I thank the leadership of my party especially our President, Bola Tinubu for standing firm for Justice and allowing equity to prevail and it led to the success and victory recorded by our party.
“The people that wrote results and were announcing fake results on the internet, are the same people crying today that somebody rigged the election.
“It is sad to say that the criminals are crying today that they have lost and will continue to lose. They are spending money day and night and wasting their money and will wait in vain.
“Edo people have spoken, they have chosen the part of development, peace and part of unity. This is what Edo people have chosen and that is how it will remain.
“I want to thank Esan people for standing by me and ensuring sound victory. Thank you for the confidence reposed in me and thank you for your vote. This crowd has shown that you people voted for me.
“I will not disappoint Edo people, I will not disappoint Esan people, I will do the right thing and allow justice to prevail.
“I thank the traditional rulers in the entire Esan land, leaders of Esan land, party leaders, and all that stood by me to become the governor of Edo State and above all I give God the glory”.
The Onojie of Uromi, His Royal Highness Anselm Aidenojie II said the people of Esan are happy that the son of the land is the governor of the State.
“We the traditional rulers from Esan land went round the State to appeal for the support to produce the governor and today it’s a reality. We thank the Oba of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll and we are grateful for all for the support. We believed that the governor will deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State”.
He said “We are happy to celebrate the victory God Almighty has given to us and we thank Edo people for the mandate as all can see that the governor has hit the ground running. This is how it will be in the next 8 years. In the last 8 years there was no governance as governor Okpebholo started where Comrade Adams Oshiomole stopped”.
Some dignitaries that graced the welcome reception organized by the Esan people for the governor included traditional rulers from Edo Central, Secretary to the State government Barr. Musa Ikhilor, Chief of Staff to the governor, Gani Audu, members Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), top government officials, party faithful amongst others.