ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY CHIEF (DR) FRANCIS INEGBENIKI AFTER EMERGING VICTORIOUS AT THE EDO CENTRAL SENATORIAL APC PRIMARY ELECTION.

Inegbeniki

…WE ARE ALL WINNERS!!!

My people, it is with a deep sense of gratitude and humility that I accept this mandate to run as the flag bearer of our great party, APC in the 2015 Senatorial elections. Let me just say first of all,  that there's never been a more humbling moment in my life than this day. I consider the trust you have placed in me sacred and I give you my sacred oath that I will do my utmost to justify your faith if by God`s grace, am elected at the general election, 2015. And now, as I said before, to my family. I'm so grateful to them, for the love, for the support and for the hard work, because they were out on the campaign trail at convenient and inconvenient timing.

My people, this victory was made possible by you through the delegates. I thank all the delegates, who voted according to their consciences. For once, you did not waver in your faith in the process put in place by our great party, APC.  And to my fellow contestants, I have nothing but commendation and respect for putting up a good contest.  I extend my hand of fellowship and ask you to join me, in not only winning the general election in February 2015 but to continue to build the tradition of excellence in development, understanding and love that our party has come to be associated with in Edo state.

The success of this primary and the victory that has come out of it is not just for me but for all of us that stepped into the race. It is a victory for Esan people and for democracy. The responsibility belongs to all of us. Let us put aside the disappointment of yesterday and embrace the opportunity of today. Not forgetting that the future begins today. We must never forget that the future of Esan people is bigger than the summation of our ambitions.

 Furthermore, to the State party executive and the National officers, I stretch my appreciation for the long hours and the experience invested in this exercise. The orderliness, the transparency of the process and the spirit of sportsmanship devoid of bitterness that enveloped this process portray a better future for our democracy.

 Conclusively, I promise never to waiver nor fail. I promise to energize and mobilize our teeming supporters in the next phase of this struggle. I put myself to the task, knowing fully well that the struggle to give the best to my people and bring in a good governance already laid by other heroes in Esanland must never be destroyed but built upon. I commit to the continuation of excellence and the uplifment of the lives of all Esan people.

I thank you and God bless our people.

Chief (Dr) Francis Inegbeniki
Winner, Edo Central Senatorial District APC`s primary election,
December 8,  2014

APC PRIMARIES: LET US COOPERATE AMONG OURSELVES, APC SENATORIAL ASPIRANT URGES OTHERS.

Chief Inegbeniki

EKPOMA: In a communique made available by Chief (Dr) Francis Inegbeniki through his social media director, Prince kelly O Udebhulu yesterday,  he urged the party and those charged with the responsibility of organizing the primaries to discharge their duty with fairness, openness and justice, all of which have been the guiding principles of the APC.

“We have come a long way in the campaign without violence and no trouble, we pray for the remaining hours (days) to be peaceful. Let us cooperate among ourselves.” he said.

Chief (Dr) Francis Inegbeniki , the most popular aspirant, said, “My take is that a free and fair primaries should be conducted and a level-playing field provided for all the aspirants, if this is done on December 8, anybody that wins will win gallantly and any person that loses, will also see that he lost gallantly.”

“There is no need for acrimony, the delegates are going to decide, if we are not favoured, we will accept the result and give our ideas to whoever wins. Only one man will win. Esanland is our place; we need a peaceful place for development.” he concluded.

Edo PDP Aspirants Protest Outcome of Assembly Primary in the State.

PROTESTERS

BENIN CITY-Protests on on Thursday trailed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State as some of the aspirants who lost called for cancellation of the election.

They also asked the immediate resignation of the party senatorial leader, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, following what they described as the ignoble role he allegedly played to screw the result in favour of certain persons.

In a protest letter signed by Clifford Igbinoba, Jefferson Uwoghiren, Patricia Ero, Festus Okpiaebe, Osahon Imaru, Sunny Erengbo and Edobor Oghosa which was made available to journalists in Benin City, the state capital, they further called for the immediate constitution of an interim committee to run the affairs of the party in the local government chapter before next congress.

The aggrieved PDP aspirants alleged that the entire process of the party primary was characterised by unwholesome interference and coercion of delegates, financial inducement, substitution of delegates, violence against aspirants, blackmail and removal of perceived rigid ward chairmen.

According them, “We chose to participate in the exercise in the mistaken belief that the party was ready to turn a new leaf and shed its reprehensible records of imposition of candidates, but Imasuen, for selfish and personal reasons, threw spanner in the whole process, and in one week, wiped off rising goodwill the party had gained in the past months.

“From his command and control centre, Iyakogba, Benin City, he was threatening and directing delegates to vote for persons and dishing out a campaign of calumny against aspirants he had penciled down in his political black book.”

But is a swift reaction, Imasuen denied all the allegations against him, asking if he has become so powerful as to be the one to singularly decide who should emerge in the party primary in the locality.

Four APC Presidential Aspirants Want Convention Shifted to Abuja or Edo state.

Indications emerged yesterday that disagreements  is brewing in the camps of the four of the five presidential aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the plan by the party leadership to shift the venue of its national convention.

Consequently, the four aspirant shave petitioned the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, demanding that the venue of the party’s national convention be shifted from Lagos to Abuja.

The four aspirants, including former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Kano State Governor, Alhaji, Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso; Leadership Publisher, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah and Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas  Okorocha, are also seeking the cancelation of the delegates’ list from 37 Local Council Development Authorities  (LCDAs) of Lagos State which formed part of the list of delegates for the national convention.

The argument by the four aspirants was that the LCDAs were not recognised by the constitution and that they were not in the know how the said delegates emerged.

The petition, handed to Oyegun, was also copied to all members of the party’s National Working Committee(NWC).

A source in the party, however,  said its leadership had scheduled a meeting for Monday to address the issues raised in the petition.

It was learnt that the letter, signed by the four aspirants was handed over to the national chairman at his official residence in  Asokoro, Abuja last Saturday, while the NWC members were also copied.

The aspirants were concerned that the delegates list from Lagos included members from the 37 non-constitutionally recognised development areas of the state areas whereas only 20  local governments are recognised from Lagos state in the 1999 Constitution.

One of the party’s chieftains who is close to one of the aspirants also said monday that the presidential aspirants, except General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) have rejected the delegates list from Lagos State.

He stated that the presidential aspirants alleged that someone might have sat somewhere to draw up the list.
Besides, a source said yesterday that some of the aspirants are contemplating  a court case if the party insists on using the list from the 37 unrecognised local councils.

Said a source: “One of the steps being contemplated is the possibility of filing a court case if the NWC fails to act quickly on the matter.”

The aspirants are insisting that rather than take the convention to Lagos, the event should hold in Eagle Square, Abuja after the convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .

A source in the know further said: “The aspirants are insisting that the convention can hold after that of the PDP and that they are ready  to wait until the venue in Abuja is free. In the alternative, they also suggested that the venue can be shifted to Benin City, Edo State to avid any further acrimony.”

Nigeria's Political Leaders Offer Twelveth Month wishes to Electorates- APC Senatorial aspirant in Edo state, Chief (Dr) francis Inegbeniki.

Chief Inegbeniki & supportive wife

Nigeria’s political leaders are using their last month of the year messages to urge people to reach out to those less fortunate during the Christmas and new year seasons.

In a message released today, the APC senatorial aspirant in Edo state, Chief (Dr) francis Inegbeniki, wished Esan people and Nigerians a happy, peaceful and safe time in all their trips during this festive season, saying it was an opportunity “to reflect, to count our blessings and to give thanks for all the good things we enjoy”.

“We are a good and generous people – and I hope this festive season; we will remember everyone who is doing it tough and lend a hand where we can,” Chief (Dr) francis Inegbeniki said in his twelveth month message since declaration of  interest to run for Edo Central Senatorial seat under APC.

He paid tribute to those working for charities to ensure those who were less fortunate enjoyed a festive meal. Chief (Dr) francis Inegbeniki also thanked members of the armed forces “serving our country and  values” in this trial time in our country`s security concerns.

“On this Day, like every day, our hospitals, our police stations, INEC workers and our fire brigades are ready and working, so I thank the nurses, the doctors, the police, INEC workers and the emergency services personnel who are missing precious lunch or family dinner and family trips because they’re keeping our communities safe, working round the clock to serve the nation at their respective positions and responsibilities. We all hope you have a good quiet days,” Chief (Dr) francis Inegbeniki said.

On this occasion, many supporters who turn out; using the opportunity to express their respective assessments of this Esan icon as:

• A man who honours his words.
• Who don't lie to cover facts. To him nothing increases compatibility like mutual trust and honesty.  To him, Credibility is hard to regain.
• Who don't take bribes that may compromise his position.
• Who takes responsibility for his mistakes and learn from them. He don't pass the heat on to others.
• Who always guard his tongue. He don't talk anyhow and he don't divulge information given in confidence.
• A man to be with and to bring the needed change to esan people.
• A generous man not only to the Esan people but to all that come across him for assistance due to his generous attributes. 
• An icon who was Crowned "the Are Taiyese of Lagos"- meaning a man who came to repair; crowned as the Uzoya of Esanland by the Enijies of Esanland.
• A man of the people both home and away.  the people`s choice always.
• Chief (Dr) Francis Inegbeniki, a leader with passion, love by his people, possesses the fear of God ij all his doings, attained necessary qualities to lead and humility to serve. Chief (Dr)Francis Inegbeniki is no doubt  "a Transformative Bridge-building leader".

*Superlative Leadership Qualities of Chief (Dr.) Francis Inegbeniki X–Rayed.

 One Symbolic side of The great Uzoya is that he takes Leadership Personally.

1. He understand that he have a part to play in the story that is his life and that of his Esan People. 
2. That there is a job to be done, tasks to complete, ideas to originate, and ground to be gained.
3. The Uzoya knows that a leading role has meaning. It adds something to the story. A leading role is the part of the pacesetter, the one who plays the first part. And that is why his our next Senator.
4. Chief Francis Leadership role has entrances…and exits and runs it not as a one man show. He make appearances and absent himself at times to allow for variables or new ideas. 
5. His leadership role serves as the one with whom others identify. This is very symbolic.
6. Chief (Dr.) Francis Inegbeniki's leadership role has relevance. You know you are effective when you are, with what you believe, with what you say, with what you intend to influence, with your thinking, with your attitudes, and the actions/response of those you lead.
7. He at times take tough decisions even when it affect few policy/decision makers but beneficial to the vast majority of the people. His reason----because he believe that the larger interest supersedes the smaller interest.

Covered by Esan people News crew

Anchored by Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.
Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu is a trained journalist from the AIU (USA), resides in Spain; a blogger and special correspondent to some news media internationally.
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