Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Edo State Government has declared a work-free day in the state on Wednesday, 1 April, 2015, to celebrate the historic victory of General Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2015 Presidential election.

Announcement of the holiday was contained in a press statement issued and signed by Mr. Peter Okhiria, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

According to the press statement, the state Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole invites people of the state to a victory party which will hold at the Oba Ovoranmwen Square, Benin City starting from 3:00pm on Wednesday, 1 April.

Top artistes, including Davido, Patoranking, Osayomore Joseph, Young Bolivia, among others, will perform at the party to celebrate General Buhari’s victory.

In another statement, Governor Oshiomhole congratulated Buhari, on his victory and emergence as President-elect, saying the victory represents a new dawn in the nation’s polity.

Oshiomhole said “let me congratulate you, Sir, on your historic victory at the presidential election, through a process which has been adjudged as free, fair and credible by both local and international observers. Indeed, your victory, on the basis of One Man, One Vote, represents a new dawn in the democratic governance of our great country.

“The spread of your victory across the length and breadth of the country shows your national acceptance as the man Nigeria needs at this critical stage to reposition her from the 16 years of misrule of the PDP.

“Despite the smear campaigns against your person and candidature and the attempts to polarize the country along ethnic and religious lines, Nigerians made a bold statement by speaking through their ballots that you are, indeed, the President they want at this time of our national history.

“I have implicit confidence that, with you as President, Nigeria will no doubt get a true and selfless leadership needed to drive the much-desired Change at the centre which will start the process of reengineering the country and halt the drift which the country had been plunged in the past 16 years.

“Your pedigree as a former Head of State and the indelible imprint you left at that time are still being felt across the country. Your doggedness and victory at the fourth attempt will serve as an inspiration to many, never to give up on a dream that is worth living.

“We congratulate all Nigerians on this historic victory, because this victory belongs not to General Buhari or the APC alone, but to all Nigerians who desire change.

“For us in Edo, the victory of General Buhari has effectively disconnected the oxygen which Abuja had provided for the godfathers in the past 16 years.

“I give kudos to President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat and congratulating the incoming President on his electoral victory. However, just like Abraham Lincoln said: “elections belong to the people. It’s their decision.” Nigerians have indeed spoken!