The Edo state gubernatorial election which was conducted September 19 earlier this year was not devoid of major drama and theatrical display by major stakeholders and political juggernauts.
Prior to the elections so much threat of violence and fear was instilled in the minds and hearts of Edolites that uncertainty filled the air and created an atmosphere of proposed doom for citizen who had great belief that their votes may be irrelevant and not count due to major plans to rig elections by political hoodlums.
Meanwhile there was so much tensions and in-house misunderstandings in the camp of the All Progressive Congress (APC), with regards to a suitable candidate to represent them at the primaries with the national party chairman comrade Adams Oshiomole having a fallout with the incubent Governor and supposed candidate Obaseki.
The misunderstanding got so serious that the incubent Governor Godwin Obaseki had to move from APC camp to rival party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
This action by his excellency, Obaseki, further fuelled the rivalry amongst both politcal parties and created a perfect stage for the Edo gubernatorial election. while some persons feared that Governor Obaseki might lose his proposed second tenure in office, many applauded the move especially members of the PDP who felt there was need to change certain aspects of their party policies prior to Obaseki’s arrival.
The PDP eventually won the election in one of the most shocking but positive and peaceful act of democratic elections ever experienced and conducted in Edo state as well as Nigeria in general.
Recounting the experience and the not too pleasant road to success however, Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, disclosed that Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), assured him of his victory in the September 19 governorship election.
Obaseki, who ran under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had defeated Osagie Ize-Iyamu, his All Progressives Congress (APC) rival in the election.
What was unique in all of these is the fact that coincidentally, his political opponent pastor Ize-Iyamu was a RCCG pastor.
Speaking on Friday 11 december 2020 during the testimony session at this year’s RCCG Holy Ghost Congress, held along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Obaseki revealed that he visited Adeboye on two different occasions before the election.
“When it looked impossible and when men rose, He (God) came out to say that He is God and only He has the power,” he said.
“About the time when the crisis started a year ago, I came to the (RCCG) camp with my wife and met Daddy G.O… he said ‘my son, it is well’. Don’t be afraid, you will overcome and you will win.
“A few months before the election, I came again to see him (Adeboye) and he prayed for me and with me and he said, ‘It will be well.’”
It did pan out as predicted by the general overseer as the outcome of the election went the way of Obaseki. The Edolites are hopeful he will continue in the same path to building and developing the state without any form of corruption and political manipulations or Godfatherism the major reasons why his opponent were rejected and himself reflected in the first place.
Gift Joseph Okpakorese
Staff Writer
