Newly elected governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, said Sunday that though there were challenges in Saturday’s governorship election in the state, they were not enough to invalidate the outcome.
Mr. Obi said in his acceptance speech to the people of the state that although the inadequacies of the Independent National Electoral Commission in terms of poor preparation and late arrival of voting materials were manifest, “they were minimal.”
Mr. Obi, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance was declared winner of the February 6, 2009 election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Josiah Uwazuruonye.
Mr. Obi, according to the commissioner, got a total of 97,843 votes and was followed by the Action Congress’s candidate, Chris Ngige who had 60,240 votes while the People Democratic Party flag bearer, Chukwuma Soludo, came third with 59,365 votes.
Mr. Obi called on his opponents in the race to join hands with him to develop the state. He recalled the many challenges of the election, but noted that the election was unique in several respects: “one, it was the only one that was conducted throughout Nigeria yesterday. Two, the entire world literally monitored it, either directly or indirectly. Thirdly, although the age-old inadequacies of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in terms of poor preparation, late arrival of electoral materials, etc., manifested, they were minimal,” he said.
Mr. Obi who was speaking shortly after he was announced the winner of the election said, “in spite of the foregoing, vote-counting, collation and announcement of results were relatively transparent. I wish to commend the INEC, election observers and monitors in this connection. For this singular reason also, I accept the result of the election as declared by INEC, namely, that I won this election.” He said in returning him for a second term, the people of the state have shown that they supported his efforts at transforming the state.
“As for my brothers and sister who contested the election with me, I commend them for their patriotism and desire to serve our people.
You have no doubt put up a gallant fight. What is most important now is that we remain good brothers and sisters that we have been over the years and join hands in building a better Anambra State for ourselves and our children.”
The heart dances
As soon as the result of the election was announced, a jubilant crowd at Agulu, the home town of Mr. Obi took to the streets to celebrate the victory. The town, which could have been described as a sleepy town only a day before, was suddenly transformed into a carnival arena.
Hordes of bikers rode along the streets dangerously as they attempted impossible acrobatic feats, their horns blaring unceasingly as they move toward the country home of the governor.
The jubilation cut across all age brackets, as elderly men and women armed with walking sticks, with dignified smiles hanging on their faces, greeted each other over what Christopher Okeke, a Red Cap chief, described as “a thing that make the heart dance.”
The gates of the governor’s house, which was heavily guarded by mobile policemen just a day before, was thrown open as indigenes of the town flocked in their hundreds into the relatively modest looking property.
The crowd was thrown into a frenzy as Okunorounweyen, described by Okoro Nnodim, a native of the town, as the main masquerade of Agulu, joined the celebration.
The youth, all waving palm fronds, joined in the incredibly energetic dance of the masquerades.
“As you can see, everybody is happy,” said Jude Iloanya. “History has been repeated in Anambra State. We can use this election to rebrand the nation by telling the world that free and fair election can be held in Nigeria.” Another resident, Jude Igbokwe, said: “We are happy. He will do more. He has done well, so the victory was expected.” Speaking on his expectations even before the election, Emma Chidiebere, said, “He did marvellously. I expected that he should win.”
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