By Tlive Media
IT was a gathering of who is who in Edo State today at the 90th birthday celebration of the Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri where national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu said the APC would win the coming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.
Also elderstatesman and nationalists leader, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai urged Nigerians to continue to fight for the economic independence of the country which he said was second phase of the struggle after independence which was proposed by Edebiri when unexpectedly, the British colonialists agreed in 1957 to grant Nigeria independence in 1960.
Among the dignitaries present were the national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe who was also the chairman of the ceremony.
Also present were Yakassai, palace chiefs and the Secretary Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, former Minister of State for Works, Dr Chris Ogiemwonyi, Minister of Health Dr Osagie Ehanire represented by the Chief Medical Director, University of Benin teaching Hospital, Professor Darlington Obaseki, Minister of State for Health, Prince Clem Agba represented by his Special Adviser, Dr Philip Ugbodaga, former Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mike Ogiadomhe, former deputy governor, Hon Lucky Imasuen, the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chris Nehikhare and others.
Chairman on the occasion and the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, set the tone when he said “it is not easy to live for 90 years” and thanked God for the life of the celebrant.
Tinubu told journalists that “I expect nothing less than victory in Kogi and Bayelsa States, who is the other party”
On complaints that Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has not done well for his people, he said “If you don’t have complaints in politics, then there is no democracy so we only pay attention to the noise in the market because we have so many apples, oranges and various fruits of different character but there is one thing that is consistent, this is a market of many branches and this is the broom; they will come together as a bunch to sweep clean all the debris of the past, that is it, we are going to win.
Also speaking, former governor of Edo State and National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said there are many people who may be 90 years but only a few are are healthy like Chief Edebiri.
Yakassai said Chief Edebiri was among the few statesmen alive who fought for Nigeria’s independence.
He said Nigeria has the largest market in Africa and the struggle is to make the market benefit Nigerians.”We should struggle to make sure the market serve the interests only of our people. We will continue until victory is achieved.”
Oshiomhole praised Chief Edebiri for adopting him as a son and supporting his emergence of governor. He recalled how he was introduced to the Esogban of Benin sometime in 2007 when he sought to become governor and how he (Chief Edebiri) adopted him and presented him to the Oba of Benin, adding that he remained indebted to the institution of the Oba of Benin for the support he received as governor.
The former Edo Governor said he would use any available opportunity to empower people from Benin Kingdom.
He recalled how Chief Edebiri before the last general elections helped solved problems within the APC.
In his speech, Chief Edebiri corroborated Oshiomhole’s story on how they met, said he was overwhelmed by the number and quality of people who attended his birthday, disclosing that it was the first time he was celebrating birthday in his life. Chief Edebiri said it was his first time of celebrating birthday since he was born. He praised Oshiomhole for bringing ‘light’ to Edo State and for not disappointing him and prayed God to prosper him.
Chief David Edebiri released 90 pigeons to mark the birthday.