President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received the Edo state governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, in the State House, Abuja.
Okpebholo arrived in the Villa accompanied by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and some of the governors elected on the platform of the party.
Among the governors seen in the entourage are the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Usman Ododo (Kogi), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun).
Also on the entourage is the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, and deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.
This came came shortly after
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday, September 26, presented certificates of return, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his deputy, Hon. Denis Idahosa.
A national commissioner, Mrs
Rhoda Gomos, who represented the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, presented the certificates to them.
The ceremony at the INEC headquarters was witnessed by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, National Secretary, Senator Bashiru Ajibola, and Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and the Deputy Governor of Edo state, Phillip Shuaibu among others.
The President called on the Edo State governor-elect, Okpebholo, to prioritise the development of his state while assuring him of the full support of the Federal Government and the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF).
President Tinubu emphasised the importance of good governance and delivering results to the people of Edo State.
‘’Governor-elect, you can now face the task of development. We are here to work with you. You have seen the progressive governors of APC. They are truly progressive. Work with them. Learn the ropes, and I believe you are up to the task,” he said.
Acknowledging the challenges of democracy, particularly in emerging economies like Nigeria, the President added, ”You have earned the victory. Democracy is difficult, particularly in emerging democracies and economies like ours.
”If you hear complaints from places like America, you know how difficult it is to navigate democracy. But it remains the best form of government. ”
The President congratulated Senator Okpebholo and his deputy and described them as a ”good symbol of people ordained by God to work together.”
”You started as rivals and ended us as partners. You are a symbol of good understanding in politics; the man at our party’s helm has been through it before.
”In Kano, he was a front runner, became a second runner, and became a deputy before he eventually became a governor,” he said.
President Tinubu acknowledged the role played by former Edo state governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the progressive governors and the APC leadership in the successful outcome of the gubernatorial election in Edo.
”I saw Adams Oshiomhole radiating in joy… sincerely the governors showed up in Edo, they impressed me. They defended the party. They worked hard for the party,” he remarked.
President Tinubu also commended INEC and the security agencies for ensuring a peaceful and organised election, with no reports of violence or disturbances.
”I must thank the security agencies. There was no bloodshed, no riot, people voted and went back to their houses in peace, and the fears dissipated instantly, ” he said.
The President urged the party leadership and membership to remain united and focused on achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda.
”Never mind the noise makers. I do a lot of statistical sampling and results. When you hear politicians saying ‘all politics is local’, you must respect that notion.
”When you see the stability in the Edo North senatorial district, we see a man that won the Central senatorial district and a candidate who has won a seat in the south senatorial district; we did a match- which turned out to be a winning match,” he said.
President Tinubu also commented on the heavy downpour on Election Day in Edo and the electorate’s commitment to voting in the rain without using an umbrella.
”It is a very punching illustration,” the President said, referring to remarks made by the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Ganduje, about the election-day rains in Edo.
In his remarks, Senator Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s national chairman, commended the leadership and support of the President, the governors, and all stakeholders.
”On the day of the election, there was an exciting scenario: it was raining heavily, yet people came out to vote without using an umbrella. Your Excellency, the people were convinced that our party is the party to be voted for, and we won the election, ” he said.
The APC National chairman noted that the party’s next focus is securing victories in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Ondo and Anambra states.
”The election in Anambra is part of our programme, ‘ Political de-marginalization of Southeast geopolitical zone.’
”Having only two states in the Southeast as APC is too small for us. We need more states from the Southeast geo-political zone,” Ganduje said, according to a release on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy).
