Traditional Rulers from Edo North have reaffirmed their endorsement of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole ahead of the July 14, 2012 governorship election.
They promised to deliver over 90 per cent of the votes for the governor.
The Otaru of Igarra, Oba Adeche Saiki 11, stated this at Igarra in Akoko Edo Local Government Area, when he received the governor in his palace on Thursday.
“We have resolved that come July14th we are going to do our best to give you not less than 90 per cent of the votes. I and my people have resolved to do just that. By the grace of God we are going to do it just that way. The entire traditional rulers of Edo North if I may let you know have jointly resolved to say we are going to support Comrade Oshiomhole for the July election,” he said.
The traditional ruler noted that this is the first time that the people have an elected governor from Edo North and he has done a lot more than the preceding governors
According to the Otaru: “We have jointly resolved that we are going to support you, we are going to fight for your victory, not only to win but we are fighting that you win with more than 90 per cent. I am conscious of the fact that God has sanctioned that you are coming back. Coming back not to repeat but to continue on what you have started. God will give you the strength and wisdom to succeed.
“Today, I learnt many of our people are decamping to the ruling party, I am not surprised, because everybody can see what you are doing, Our people say a good soup does not need advertisement. You do not need to be coming here. We have seen what you have do here and in other parts of the local government.”
On his part, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, Alhaji A.Y.E. Dirisu, said: “I just want to assure you that because of the way you have made Etsako proud, Afemai proud and the whole of Edo State, God himself likes these things. God who knows you are working will not want you to be disappointed.
“I assure you that by the grace of God, we are just waiting when you are going to be sworn in for your second tenure. You have already done the election yourself because Edo State has not just started today. You have changed Edo State to what it should be. We are all proud because you are making the capital of Edo State to be a real capital now.
“You do not need to campaign really. It is just that you must go round because we are human beings, otherwise your performance has shown if it was possible to do three tenure you will be given. I want to assure you of my peoples total support.
“You do not make empty promises .When you came round we told you about our road, You told us the road will be started and right now the consultants are already on the road.”
Responding, to the comments of the traditional rulers, Oshiomhole expressed his appreciation for the support of the traditional rulers, adding that to whom much is given much is expected.
According to the governor: “Edo has been mismanaged and under governed. Its resources abused by the previous parties that governed the state for 10 years and it would take quite sometime to make up for the ground lost.
“We have demonstrated that although we do not have all the money to do all that we desire to do, we have the will and the determination and the clean heart to apply the resources that we have judiciously to every part of the state. I believe that God helping us we will make up for the lost ground.”
The governor said the purpose of his seeking re-election is to continue what we have started, adding: “Our campaigns is no longer based on promise that we are capable of doing. All of you are witnesses of what we are capable of doing, Therefore when we say we will do more, we have to plead to trust that we will do more.”