President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Saturday’s Edo State governorship election, for his victory at the polls.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Mr Okpebholo the winner on Sunday, following a successful contest in which he outperformed other candidates for the position.
In a statement issued by Mr Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President commended the efforts of APC national leaders, state leaders, and the party’s governors for their hard work in securing the victory.
President Tinubu noted that the result was a clear indication of the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive vision, and its economic transformation agenda, as well as its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.
He urged Mr Okpebholo to view his triumph not as an occasion for self-celebration, but as a solemn call to serve. He encouraged the governor-elect to extend an olive branch to his political opponents and unite the people of Edo State for the collective good and development of the state.
The President also commended the other candidates for their contributions to the democratic process, emphasising that peaceful elections like Saturday’s demonstrate Nigeria’s growing stability as a democratic nation.
Furthermore, he urged those dissatisfied with the election results to seek legal recourse, while praising the people of the state for their orderly and peaceful conduct, a reflection of the maturing democratic culture in Nigeria, now 25 years strong.
“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”, President Tinubu said.
