While many Nigerians including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insist that the Edo State governorship election was rigged in favour of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, President Bola Tinubu said the election was nothing but free and fair.

As a matter of fact, the Nigerian leader has congratulated the APC candidate on his victory at the polls.

Senator Okpebholo’s victory was announced on Sunday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This was after the APC Senator defeated other contenders for the position.

The off-cycle election had 17 candidates contest for the exalted seat at the Dennis Osadebay House in Benin City.

The election was held in 4,519 polling units across the 18 local government areas of Edo State.

Message From President Tinubu

A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, conveyed Tinubu’s message to the APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for working hard to achieve victory.

He stated that the victory testified to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.

The president urged Senator Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to see it as a challenging call to service.

He encouraged the Edo State Governor-elect to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development.

Democracy In Nigeria 

Meanwhile, Tinubu praised other candidates who participated in the election for their contributions to advancing Nigeria’s democracy, saying peaceful political contests, such as the one on Saturday, portrays Nigeria as a stable democracy.

Also Read: Edo Election: INEC Declares Monday Okpebholo Of APC As Governor-Elect

However, the president urged all those aggrieved by the election outcome to seek redress through the legal channels.

In addition, Tinubu hailed the people of Edo State for their orderly and peaceful conduct during the election, underscoring 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”, Tinubu said.