Leadership (Abuja)
Patrick Ochoga
11 November 2008
Benin — Residents of Benin City, the Edo State capital woke to a heavy presence of security personnel situated at strategic junctions leading to the venue of the Court of Appeal, where the case between Governor Oserheimen Osunbor and the Action Congress Governorship elect, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is taking place.
Both PDP and the AC member seem sure of victory today as supporters who spoke to LEADERSHIP said that they were sure that the judgment will be in their favour dispelling the option of a re-run.
Members of the two camps believed that they won the April 14, 2007 elections hence the appeal would either hold that Senator Osunbor won the election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or Comrade Adams Oshiomhole won as declared by the election petition tribunal on March 20, 2008.
The PDP in Edo State, according to LEADERSHIP findings indicated that both factions of the party are frantically working to close ranks in the event of a re-run, while some members who are still aggrieved with the manner Governor Osunbor is running the party, decide to remain silent over the outcome of the Appeal Court.
LEADERSHIP contacted, the factional chairman of the Osunbor led PDP over the likely outcome, who said, "we are very sure that the case will be in our favour because we know we won the election".
He boasted that there is nothing short of victory for the Governor and the party. According to him, "I can't hope for anything less than victory because Osunbor is the messiah".
Meanwhile, the Action Congress state chairman, Prince Tony Omoaghe urged the people of the state to remain calm and pray for victory at the appeal court. "We are hoping that the appellate court will hold the victory of the lower tribunal, our faith and belief in God is unshakable, because God that did it at the lower court will certainly do it again; victory is assured".
Investigation also indicated that both party members are putting finishing touches to a grand celebration in anticipation of victory. Symbols of the PDP and the Action Congress have since gone out of stock in the city. The cost of brooms in the ancient city has risen from N50 to between N200 and N250 respectively.
A supporter of the Action Congress who spoke with LEADERSHIP said he has since bought his khaki uniform in anticipation of victory, while in the camps of the PDP, Government House has taken a new look with people seen painting everywhere, for what some members considered as victory already.
However, Comrade Philip shuaibu who thinks the AC will carry the day said the judgment declared at the lower court was a God given judgment and we expect that at the appeal court on Tuesday, we are equally expecting God's judgment; everything that God is in, you know that the people's hand will be there.
"Oshiomhole's election is not just his election, it is the election of the people of Edo State. Every Edo citizen wants to witness what is happening and during the electioneering campaign, we said we were going to defend the votes together with people and the people have been defending their work by being under the sun and rain to witness the tribunal proceedings. So, what we expect is the reflection of the mind of Edo people and the voice of God and God as the ultimate judge will never make mistakes.
One of Chief Tony Anenih's foot soldiers and a member of the Edo State House of Assembly thinks otherwise even as the PDP is crisis ridden in the state. "You should understand how it is, I should expect that the PDP returns to government, I honestly cannot find the basis for any otherwise judgment. If they say re-run, the party will still win, we are more on the ground, he said.
The situation in the entire city is that of fear that whichever direction the judgment may go, there will be blood-letting which must have been the reason why the Benin Monarch called for a three days fasting which ended on Sunday.
The Monarch said it is not for Binis alone but for every Edo indigene to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the entire state. He directed residents of the city to fast for three days and called for special prayer and fasting.
Meanwhile, an Assistant Inspector General of Police has mobilized his men to forestall any breakdown of law and order from party supporters of the PDP and AC.
According to AIG Suleiman Fakai, "we are expecting a large turnout of politicians and party supporters who want to come here to witness proceedings and because of the antecedent of the last event, which some skirmishes were recorded, but this time around, we are doing every thing possible to maintain the peace in the state.
Heavy gunshots were heard around the court premises purportedly by security men (MOPOL), possibly to panic party members who are warming up to cause crisis in the event that their party lost out. The AIG who said that the army might be drafted in to assist, added that the police and the army will embark on a "show of force", which involves parading the city. LEADERSHIP gathered that since the announcement of a date for the judgment there have been panic in anticipation of violence.
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