According to The Nation, the governor is happy with the
verdict because it proves that the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) cannot deny the truth that he won the election square
and fair.
He said, “ I had no doubt in my mind that given the quality
judiciary we had, it would go straight to the matter."
“One thing you must always know is that the truth never
changes. I won the election. God has affirmed that I won the
election. The court has now affirmed that I won the
election.
“No matter how hard they (opposition) try, they cannot
change the truth. I am sure they will appeal."
"We will meet at the Supreme Court and it will be the same
verdict," he added.
Obaseki also thanked the people of his state for their
patience while making promises.
“I thank Edo people for their patience with us. We want to
assure them that we are not distracted and we will continue
on our path to recovery, on our path to progress?.
“We have done a little bit of work. I know that people are
pleased with what we have done. But I want to assure them
that it is only the beginning.
I want to assure them that with the continued support we
are receiving from Edo people, we will put in everything we
have to make sure that Edo State becomes the state that it
should be, " he said.
Obaseki’s immediate predecessor, Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole, has also reacted to the court's verdict.
He also warned the PDP that its rigging machine had no
place in the state.
“When I said that PDP petition was like the petition filed by
Mama Akara, they tried to twist it.
Now, if you listen to the
judgment, you will see that the Court of Appeal even has
more harsh words for them; that the findings of the
tribunal were unassailable so they did not have to beat
around the bush.
“This is clear and I just hope that the PDP can understand
that their rigging machine that was dismantled in 2007, they
cannot return it and our people can never welcome them
back, " he said.
Moving on, Oshiomole gave some advice to the current
state governor.
He said, “ I think it is now for Godwin (Obaseki) to
concentrate fully. Happily, he is doing very well. And now
with this clarity of his position, we have no doubt that he
won the election. Even if the PDP wants to go to the World
Court we are ready.
“But the government will not be distracted and Edo people
can be reassured that they voted wisely and they are getting
the dividends of democracy that they voted for.
“I am excited. The only thing is that we have to review the
rules of the court in a manner that when a man has no case
and files a fictitious petition, he should be asked to pay for
the time wasted by the judges and others, so that we will
have penalties for frivolities.
“Like I said, he who dies in sin can never resurrect. The PDP
died in sin."
The Court of Appeal came to it's decision after counsels to
both parties had argued their cases on May 30, 2017.
After everything, the court, which held in Benin, ruled that
the PDP had no case for the nullification of the election or
the declaration of Ize-Iyamu as the winner.
The court, led by Hon. Justice Dongban-Mensen,
commended the Justice Ahmed Badamasi-led tribunal for a
job well done in the proper evaluation of all the witnesses’
evidence and ascribing “probative value” to it.
Obaseki, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), was declared as the governor of Edo State by the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2016.
