Governor, Adams Oshiomhole
By Adibe Emenyonu
Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, Tuesday denied report that he and his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), had struck an alliance with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the July 14 governorship election in the state.
Speaking with THISDAY last night, Oshiomhole said at no time did he or the ACN strike an accord with either the CPC or its presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd)to field him as the governorship candidate in the election.
He stated that he does not need alliance with the CPC to win election in the state, alleging that the rumour emanated from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor added that the ACN had won all the elections in the state based on his performance.
“Let me urgently debunk the story that Gen Buhari and CPC are in alliance with ACN for Edo elections. I have not invited Buhari and I don’t need alliance with CPC to win election in Edo. This is a story peddled by PDP.
“ACN has won all the elections in Edo State since I assumed office based on my performance. I don’t need help outside ACN to win landslide. Edo people alone will determine my victory based on my performance,” Oshiomhole said.
Meanwhile, prior to the governor’s remarks, the state government had refuted the reports.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, said: “our attention has been drawn to a media report insinuating an alliance between Edo State branch of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) for the July 14 governorship polls in the state.
“To that effect, the newspaper added that the national leader of CPC, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), was being expected to join the national leaders of ACN at a grand rally in Benin City on Saturday, July 7”.
According to Odion, “We wish to debunk the report of the purported alliance between Edo ACN and Edo CPC for the purpose of the July 14 elections, and that General Buhari was being expected at the July 7 rally. It is only a figment of the writer’s imagination. Neither has invitation been sent to the CPC leader nor is he being expected at the rally.
It is our humble belief that the discerning Edo voters are appreciative of Oshiomhole’s sterling performance in the last 44 months and are more than willing to not only express themselves by voting for him resoundingly on July 14 but also defend their votes”.