A cross section of commentators in Abia State have hailed the outcome of the July 14 Edo State governorship election and described the general acceptance of the outcome by the opposition as a good omen for Nigeria’s democracy.

The keenly contested ballot was won by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), beating Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (retd.) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the second place.

In the spirit of sportsmanship rarely exhibited in Nigerian politics, PDP promptly accepted the result and congratulated Oshiomhole, who is the incumbent.

Secretary of Abia State chapter of PDP, Chief Uchechi Ogbuka, said by conceding defeat to ACN in Edo, PDP, as the ruling party at the centre, has set a standard for other political parties to follow, adding that other parties should equally learn to accept defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship.

Mazi Jude Nwokoro, a legal practitioner, described the action of the opposition as the first of its kind in the political history of Nigeria, stressing that this portends that democracy has actually come to stay in Nigeria.

Kingsley Ogba Nwokoro, the Administrative Secretary of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, (ABSIEC), described the political development in Edo as a good omen for Nigeria, adding that it was an indication that democracy has taken firm root in the country.

He said he was looking forward to an era when politicians would finally desist from challenging the result of an election they know they lost woefully.

Those who commented on the development urged Oshiomhole to be magnanimous in victory and enjoined the opposition to work with the governor to move the state forward.

Meanwhile, Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has congratulated Comrade Oshiomhole on his re-election.

A statement endorsed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue, quoted Orji as saying that Oshiomhole’s re-election was a manifestation of the confidence his people reposed in him. Orji, therefore, urged Oshiomhole not to disappoint them.

*Photo: Comrade Oshiomhole

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