Posted by By Ernest Omoarelojie/Benin on
The atmosphere was ecstatic. The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, was filled to capacity with men and women, wearing different colours. The crowd was uncontrollable.
The atmosphere was ecstatic. The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, was filled to capacity with men and women, wearing different colours. The crowd was uncontrollable.
And at exactly 11.55 a.m., the man of the moment and former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, was sworn-in as the new governor of Edo state.
The Appeal Court had, yesterday, pronounced him as the authentic winner of the 14 April, 2007 governorship election.
Immediately Oshiomhole mounted the podium to be sworn-in by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Michael Edokpayi, the stadium erupted in jubilation.
In a carnival-like atmosphere, the men, women and youths gathered, sang praises of Oshiomhole and danced round the stadium.
Oshiomhole's voice was drowned by the loud noise of happy supporters hailing and pouring accolades on him.
The noise and commotion which resulted after Oshiomhole took his oath led to the collapse of the stage, but the governor and others were shielded by security operatives.
In his speech, Oshiomhole praised the judiciary for giving hope to the oppressed and thanked his supporters.
He promised to serve them and lift Edo state out of its present predicament.
Present at the swearing-in ceremony were a former governor of the state, John Odigie Oyegun; Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Haliru Momoh; Chief Tom Ikimi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and other top Action Congress (AC) chieftains.
Meanwhile, P.M.News gathered that the erstwhile governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, had packed out of the Government House in Benin. Sources close to him said he had relocated to his hometown, in Iruekpen.