President Bola Tinubu has expressed his delight over the victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, in the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday. Okpebholo was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday after he emerged victorious against his rivals.
In his statement, President Tinubu emphasized that the result of the election is a testament to the faith the people of Edo have in the APC and its agenda for economic growth and national progress.
“The victory of Senator Okpebholo demonstrates the people’s confidence in the APC, our progressive ideals, and our commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians through sound economic reengineering. This is a clear endorsement of the work we are doing at the federal and state levels,” President Tinubu said.
The President also commended the leaders of the APC for their efforts in securing this triumph. “I thank our national leaders, the Edo State leadership, and our APC governors for their dedication and hard work in ensuring this well-deserved victory,” he added.
Tinubu urged Senator Okpebholo to be magnanimous in victory, reminding him that the election win is a call to serve all the people of Edo, regardless of political affiliations. “I encourage Senator Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to use it as an opportunity to bring all Edo people together. He should reach out to his political rivals and unite the state for the sake of its development,” Tinubu advised.
Speaking on the conduct of the election, the President praised other candidates for their roles in ensuring a peaceful and democratic process. “The participation of other candidates in this election further strengthens Nigeria’s democratic values. Peaceful contests like the one we saw in Edo showcase our democracy as stable and maturing,” he noted.
He also called on those who are dissatisfied with the results to follow legal avenues for redress. “I urge all aggrieved parties to seek redress through the appropriate legal channels, as this is essential for maintaining the integrity of our democratic processes,” President Tinubu said.
The President commended the people of Edo State for their orderly conduct, highlighting how the election reflects the progress Nigeria has made in its democratic journey. “I commend the people of Edo State for their peaceful and orderly conduct during the election. This election reaffirms that our democracy, now 25 years strong, is maturing and stabilizing,” he remarked.
President Tinubu also applauded INEC and security agencies for ensuring a smooth election process. “INEC has once again demonstrated its commitment to conducting free and fair elections in Nigeria. I also appreciate our security agencies for working tirelessly to ensure a peaceful, largely hitch-free exercise,” the President concluded.
