By Usman Abudah

In many instances, some newspaper columnists tend to cry out more than professional politicians whose utterances  easily unveil their political camps. But when a newspaper columnist continuously takes the responsibility to feed readers with biased write-ups, like Tonnie Iredia does often  on Edo 2016 governorship election, one is pushed to call him to order.

In his column on Sunday Vanguard of July 24, 2016, page 42, I quote him: “In the forthcoming Edo election, it is hoped that the new governor would be elected by the people and not by the judiciary….”.

Eligible voters, who had voted overwhelmingly for Governor Adams Oshiomhole knew how they voted then. But convinced that he won the election, Oshiomhole took the option to go to court. The hearing lasted for quits some time. He was patient because he was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that he won the election and, at the end, the courts ruled in his favour because, the evidences brought before them established that, indeed, there was an effort by a “political cabal” to rob him of his legitimately won election.

Must such a genuine victory be painted as being elected by the judiciary? If I were Iredia, I would have further established that Oshiomhole’s victory was by the judiciary and the voters realistic support for him through the ballot box.

Again, Iredia, in his column in Sunday Vanguard of July 31, 2016, page 32, asked, “Continuity on what?”

I quote him……”With continuity as a selling point, would Edo people continue to experience discrimination in governance in which, for instance, roads in GRA are not maintained because, according to government, it is the rich people who live there…..?”.

I guess Iredia is amongst the elitists who live there, but he should be reminded of the positive development concerning roads in the state capital of Benin City, notably the Airport Road of six lanes done by the Oshiomhole government, the Upper Lawani Street where residents, including landlords, were sacked from their homes by flood and, upon being done, they are all back home.

The Second East Circular Road linking other major roads has been dualised and the residents express, daily, their thanks to the government, as shown in an elderly woman publicly presenting a white cock to  Oshiomhole to appreciate him for rehabilitating their roads.

Outside the state capital, there is a stretch on the physical map of Nigeria called Kukuruku hills, running from Agenebode edge through Imiegbai, Okpella and Okpekpe, which Oshiomhole’s government has constructed and tarred. Specifically, the yearly Okpekpe Marathon Race has given Edo State international recognition, as  athletes troop in to compete to win prizes mostly in U.S dollars.

His government has created economic opportunities for the inhabitants in that part of the state where he has brought  down the high hills.

The developmental strides witnessed by the majority of the rural dwellers in Edo need to be continued and, with the emergence of  Mr Godwin Obaseki,  as the APC candidate for the September 10 poll, there is reason for continuity.

Iredia left some footprints at NTA, but as the difference between his tenure and Oshiomhole’s  speaks volumes as the governor spread his performance to thousands of people, cutting across the three senatorial districts of Edo. The elitist GRA residents should wait for their turn and Obaseki’s continuity will certainly reach them.

One  recalls here that, at the beginning of the screening of aspirants for the Edo governorship race,  Iredia was number seven on the list forwarded to the Benin Leaders of Thoughts. Written (in bracket) against his name was “party unknown”. In the second round of the screening, his name didn’t appear. This clearly shows that Iredia, from the outset, has been biased.

I am pushed to recall a Vanguard columnist here, Owei Lakemfa, whose weekly outings are never biased as they enhance readers’ understanding of any topic he picks to address, without insinuating as a campaign manager.

In conclusion, the Edo election will come peacefully as residents have seen through Oshiomhole’s performance that there is indeed the need for continuity with  Obaseki on the seat.

Abudah, a journalist, lives in Benin-City, Edo State.