Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, Executive Governor of Edo state emerged as the first runner up in the contest for Vanguard's 2008, MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD.
Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole assumed office as the executive governor of Edo state on November 12,
Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole
2008, 18 months after one of his opponents in the April 2007 election, Professor Osaretin Osunbor illegally occupied the Governorship seat in Edo state.
Oshiomhole, the immediate past president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, general secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers Nigeria, member Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation ( ILO) made history as the first union leader in the history of Nigeria to be elected into an executive position in government.
He was sworn in as Governor of Edo state following the ruling of the election tribunal which was upheld by Electoral Appeal Court.
The delay in the composition of the Appeal court to hear the case filed by Professor Osunbor and the submission of Adams Oshiomhole attracted comments at the annual conference of the Nigeria Bar Association ( NBA).
It is remarkable that for the 18 months that Oshiomhole fought his battle to reclaim the Governorship of Edo, violence was not recorded anywhere in the state. Not even on the day that three of his supporters were killed while trying to cast their votes.
For a man, who has spent the better part of the last eight years leading national strikes and protests nationwide, the non-violence record of Oshiomhole remains a lesson for other politicians.
Oshiomhole is a personification of the audacity of courage and hope, the people call him THE OBAMA OF EDO STATE.
He raised hope for the people with his campaign slogan, FAREWELL TO POVERTY, LET THE PEOPLE LIVE ; which he used to make the point that the state's resources can be managed for the greater number of the people. It is therefore not surprising that a major objective of his administration is the creation of 10,000 jobs for the youths.
Barely 30 days after he assumed office, he has taken steps to match words with action on the promise of 10,000 jobs.
With his resilience, he demonstrated that indeed THE OPPOSITION PARTY can get Justice in our courts.
His election represents a break from the past. He represents the ALTERNATIVE.
He represents a paradigm shift.
For the first time in many years, those who had politically influenced the Governorship of EDO State lost out. This time the people won.
The jubilation that followed Oshiomhole's victory transcended Edo state.
His policy of politics of inclusion; inviting the Peoples' Democratic Party; the party that snatched his mandate has taken his political opponents by surprise. Indeed, a large heart.
Oshiomhole's battle in the courts wasn't the first. In 1996, the government of General Sani Abacha passed Decree 4 of 1996 to stop Oshiomhole from being elected president of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
With the death of Abacha in 1998, Decree 4 was repealed and Oshiomhole became NLC president in February 1999, a post he held for eight years.
His slogan during his campaign for the post of NLC president was CHANGE. Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole symbolises COURAGE, HOPE.
He has struggled against poverty, the status quo and political godfathers.He just cannot be ignored.
Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, executive governor of Edo state is the runner up for Vanguard's MAN OF THE YEAR.