Oshiomhole lauds Jonathan over polls

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has been commended by Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole for providing the political leadership to ensure one-man-one vote in the just-concluded general elections in the country.A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Peter Okhiria, said Oshiomhole spoke at the 2011 Annual Dinner and Awards of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Lagos, at the weekend. Oshiomhole also praised the NigerianArmy for its neutral role in the elections and not allowing itself to be used as an appendage of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).He said the Army of which the President is Commander-in-Chief, demonstrated its loyalty to the Nigerian nation and not to any individual or political party.Oshiomhole noted that Jonathan, unlike a former president who preached do-or-die politics, provided the enabling political environment where the votes of the people counted and results were not determined by thugs and bullets. He said this accounted for the loss of the ruling party in states like Oyo and Ogun.He also gave special commendation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. O.A. Ihejirika, for providing the leadership for the soldiers to defend democracy.Oshiomhole, who was one of the recipients of the ICAN merit award, congratulated the professional body for the quality of the awardees, whom he noted, were selected on merit. He also praised the organisers for the timing of the award, which he noted, coincided with the just-concluded general elections where the people are celebrating the victory over godfatherism and election riggers.Earlier, ICAN President, Sebastian Owuama, described Oshiomhole as a great Nigerian and friend of the institute who has ensured that its members dominate the treasury department of the various local councils in Edo State.Other awardees included HRM, Haliru Momoh, Ikelebe III, the Otaru of Auchi Kingdom; Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere, the Nigerian Army, Mr. Pius Akubueze and Dr. Ed Olowo-Okere.
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