President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the government and people of Edo State on the successful conclusion of the governorship election in the state, the President’s spokesman Femi Adesina has said.
Adesina said in a statement in Abuja on Thursday that Buhari, in a telephone call to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, noted with delight the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki in the poll.
He said Buhari commended the well-articulated campaign programme of APC in the state, the doggedness of the governor, governor-elect and the party members in going round the state to reach the people with records of good governance.
The president said the outcome of the election clearly reflected the mood of the people to sustain the pedigree of responsiveness, forthrightness and diligence that Oshiohmole brought into the service of his people, Adesina explained.
“The victory is good for democracy, for Nigeria and for the people of Edo,” he quoted the president as saying.
He said the president described the victory as well deserved considering that the campaign train, which he (Buhari) joined, worked hard to sell its people-centred manifesto.
Adesina said the president applauded the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, National Youth Service Corps members and the electorate in ensuring a peaceful election in Edo.
INEC had announced that Obaseki of APC won majority of the votes cast, with a total of 319,483 votes to beat Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 253,173 votes to the second place.
Former Lagos State Governor and APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, also congratulated Obaseki, for his victory in the election, saying Edo people have made their choice.
He said Obaseki is a tested technocrat who is competent and experienced to take over and continue the good work done by the outgoing governor, Oshiomhole.
The APC leader also congratulated Oshiomhole for his achievements in Edo, which helped in retaining Edo for APC.
With the election of Obaseki, Asiwaju Tinubu said Edo had taken after Lagos in the Continuity model, which has worked assiduously well for the people of Lagos State.
The National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Thursday congratulated Obaseki and his running mate, Philip Shuaibu respectively on their victory.
In a message on Thursday evening on behalf of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), Odigie-Oyegun thanked the good people of Edo State for the massive turnout during the election.
The APC National Chairman also congratulated political parties and their candidates that contested the Edo governorship election for the fair play and relatively peaceful conduct displayed during the election exercise. He called for calm and appealed to the opposition parties to accept defeat in good faith.
“The people of Edo state voted to ensure continuity and consolidation of the massive multi-faceted developments recorded under the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The Party assures that we will deliver on this expectation,” the APC National Chairman said.
Also, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, congratulated Obaseki for his victory, saying that the people of the state have made the right choice.
Ambode, in a congratulatory message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the development was not just a victory for democracy but the people who he said would experience continuity in terms of dividends of democracy.
The governor, who was the Chairman, APC National Campaign Committee for the election, said the people of Edo have voted for continuity of people-friendly policies and programmes, and urged all the relevant stakeholders in the affairs of the State to accept the verdict of the people and work with Obaseki to move the State forward.
“Like I said during the grand rally of our great party – APC, at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin some few weeks back, Edo State, being the heartbeat of the South-South region, has all it takes to become another Lagos, and the decision of the people to speak with their votes in support of Obaseki is a signpost of their readiness for greatness and a testament to the monumental successes recorded in the last seven and half years by the incumbent Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
“We are enjoying the dividends of democracy in Lagos today because of the decision of the people to vote for continuity of good governance and I am glad that the people of Edo have also toed that path and the result will definitely translate to improved social services and welfare of the people,” Governor Ambode said.
The governor said judging by the antecedents of Obaseki, he was certain that Edo State is set for transformation and consolidation of the achievements of the outgoing administration in the State.
According to him, “Governor Oshiomhole has laid the right foundation for progressive governance. He has been responsive, progressive and totally committed to the needs of the people. With the decision to vote Mr Obaseki who is equally people-friendly, reliable, trustworthy, and has the fear of God, the people have made the right choice and I can only urge them to continue to support him to deliver on the campaign promises.
He also congratulated the people of Edo State for comporting themselves peacefully throughout the period of the election, while urging those aggrieved with the result to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters rather than resort to self help.
From Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Governor Rauf Aregbesola congratulated APC over the outcome of the election.
In a message of goodwill to Obaseki and the APC, Aregbesola said the final result of the election was not surprising given Nigerians’ conviction that the APC has offered quality and selfless leadership at all strata where it is in control.
“Victory was not unexpected for the only party that has proved beyond doubt that selfless service to the people is weapon to kill and bury political parties that promote selfishness, greed, self aggrandizement and elevates kleptocracy as a state policy.
“As bad as the PDP brought Nigeria, it is evident the rescue mission is on course no matter what the naysayers say.
“Nigerians have rejected PDP and that is final,” he said.
Aregbesola while welcoming Obaseki to the fold, said he must be determined to ensure fulfillment of his promised programmes for the people.
“This is the hallmark of our party and we therefore congratulate our people in Edo for voting for continuity. Good governance, we are confident, will only continue.
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