A Victory Validated by Peoples Will

Today, July 10, 2017, the Supreme Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, delivered yet another landmark judgment affirming my victory and that of my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Edo State governorship election which held on the 28th of September, 2016.

This victory today invariably validates the perfection of the triumph of the will of the people and establishes the masses that we serve as the true and ultimate power of our evolving democracy.

Last month, precisely on the 10th of June and earlier on Friday the 14th of April, 2017, the Appeal Court and the election petitions tribunal respectively, gave verdicts which mirror this one given today by the apex court, confirming that truth indeed is immutable.

These serial victories at the polls and the various courts have undoubtedly given me and the good people of Edo State joy, but it should also teach us a vital lesson that at all times, no matter the severity of the odds, we must stand on the side of fidelity, honesty and truth.

It goes without saying that we have received invaluable support and guidance from a vast number of friends, supporters and well-wishers and there are no words that can adequately convey our gratitude.

At the zenith of this extensive list of people and groups to whom I owe a debt of gratitude is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been immovable in his support, wise in his counsel and has showed  firm commitment to democracy and good governance.

I am also immensely grateful to the acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, for his wisdom, encouragement, relentless support and skillful leadership. The leadership of our great party, the APC, under Chief John Odigie Oyegun, remained an uncompromising pillar, keeping our party focused, passionate and effectively mobilised.

Also worthy of tremendous amount of gratitude is the immediate past governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiuomhole, for his commitment to democracy. Special gratitude goes to our judiciary for being an impartial arbiter and the last hope of the upright, helping to defend our democracy through the dispensation of justice. I give tributes to our vibrant media, both conventional and contemporary for stirring rigorous debates and enlightening our people.

To our ever-faithful supporters and all who voted for the APC, I am glad your sacrifice and effort to fulfill your civic duty by casting your votes have been rewarded  by the judiciary, through the repeated validation of your decision to elect me.

Also, to the opposition, I am grateful, for a people-oriented government is impossible without the opposition. I however hope that my actions in governance will eventually convince you of my best intentions and commitment to the best interest of all Edo people.

I also hope that this verdict by the Supreme Court, which is the last and final judicial authority of the land, will give you all some closure, enable you put an end to your quest and help you to come around and join hands with me to continue the building of our dear state which I actually started about eight months ago.

To all the security agencies who help to maintain law and order, we applaud your efforts and sacrifices. To my dear good citizens of Edo State at home and abroad, let me state again that our many victories are stimuli to work harder on our promise to move Edo forward.

Meanwhile, it is reassuring that our state remained peaceful throughout the entire judicial inquisition and we are committed to keeping it so. Finally, all appreciation and honour go to God Almighty for being the source and sustainer of our existence and may His blessings be upon us all.

Being the governor’s appreciation speech for his victory at the Supreme Court today