President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo on his victory in the keenly contested Edo State governorship election conducted on Saturday, urging him not to gloat, but rather see the election as a challenging call to service.
The Daily Crucible reports that the Returning Officer for the September 21, Edo State governorship election, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State, declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election at 9:26 p.m. on Sunday, September 22.
Kuta announced that Okpebholo, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, secured 291,667 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes.
Labour Party’s (LP) Olumide Akpata, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), came a distant third with 22,763 votes.
APC’s collation agent, Jarret Tenebe, hailed the election as the best in Edo’s history, asserting that grassroots politician Okpebholo would lead the state to a brighter future.
Tenebe, who also serves as the Edo APC Chairman, urged the 17 other candidates who contested against Okpebholo to rally behind the governor-elect to elevate Edo to new heights.
However, before the winner was declared, PDP’s collation agent, Osaigbovo Iyoha, Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, called for a suspension of the final results declaration, a request that was firmly opposed by Tenebe.
In a congratulatory message through a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu acknowledged the hard work of APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors in achieving victory.
He encouraged Senator Okpebholo to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State for its development.
The advice followed the President’s commendation of the peaceful conduct of the election.
He praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for ensuring a smooth and successful process without any disruptions.
Tinubu also praised other candidates for their contributions to advancing Nigeria’s democracy, noting that peaceful contests like Saturday’s election portray Nigeria as a stable democracy.
He urged those aggrieved by the outcome to seek redress through legal channels.
The President commended the people of Edo State for their orderly and peaceful conduct during the election, highlighting the maturing of Nigeria’s democracy after 25 years.
“I commend the INEC and our security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful, and largely hitch-free exercise.
“INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organising a free and fair election in our country,” the President said.
Also, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo on his victory in Saturday’s Edo State governorship election.
Ganduje expressed confidence that Okpebholo’s win would usher in unprecedented growth and development for the state.
In a congratulatory message on Sunday in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje emphasised that the victory was a reflection of the trust the people of Edo have in the APC’s progressive ideology and the leadership of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Okpebholo garnered 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who polled 247,274 and 22,763 votes, respectively.
Ganduje stated, “His victory reflects the trust and hope placed in his leadership, as well as the hard work and resilience of party members and supporters, who ensured a free, fair, and peaceful election.”
“With Senator Okpebholo’s leadership, Edo State is set to experience unprecedented growth, peace, and development, transforming the lives of its citizens.
Okpebholo will continue to uphold the values of good governance, transparency, and service to the people, which are the foundation of the APC’s vision for Nigeria.”
The APC leader further assured that the party would continue to support Okpebholo’s administration to realise the vision of a greater Edo State, benefiting all its people.
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu and the Progressive Governors Forum for their support, noting that the victory belongs to all the people of Edo.
Additional reports-The Nation
