Edo election: Reps congratulate Obaseki

Members of the House of Representatives have congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party for defeating Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress in the governorship election held in Edo State on Saturday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Obaseki winner of the election on Sunday.

Minority Leader of the House, Ndudi Elumelu; and leader of the PDP caucus, Kingsley Chinda, in separate statements issued on Sunday, hailed the electorate in Edo State for showing courage.

In a statement titled, ‘Edo: Reps Minority Leader, Elumelu, Congratulates Gov Obaseki on Reelection’, Elumelu described Obaseki’s reelection as well-deserving, given his sterling performance in developing the state and empowering the people during his first tenure.

The Minority Leader praised the people of Edo for the courage they exhibited by “coming out en masse not only to vote but also to protect their votes and monitor the process to the end.”

Elumelu also applauded Chairman of the South-South PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, for the leadership role he played towards the success of the election.

He also commended Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, as well as other PDP governors, PDP National Assembly caucus, leaders, elders, and teeming members of the party “for their roles in upholding a free, fair and credible electoral process in Edo State.”

The Minority Leader urged Obaseki to continue with providing good governance for the people of Edo, which he said was the basis of his incontestable victory in the election.

Chinda, in a separate statement titled ‘Edo 2020: PDP Reps Caucus Congratulates Obaseki, Says Democracy at Play…Prays it should be Maintained and Institutionalised’, said Obaseki’s victory “depicted democracy as a reflection of the people’s will to elect a credible leader that will serve the interest of the people and not a few.”

The opposition leader said, “I want to congratulate Governor Godwin Obaseki on his victory at the poll and his conduct at the elections. This is a sign that Nigerians, especially the people of Edo State, have woken up to the fact that their votes must count and say no to ‘godfatherism’ politics in Nigeria.

“Though the election witnessed the display of security operatives laying siege on governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, it did not deter or distract voters from voting a leader that will pilot the affairs of the state in the next four years

“I am happy that citizens are beginning to wake up to understand that the issue of ‘godfatherism’ must be put to an end in a bid to pave room for transparent, credible, and democratic society.

“I am elated that the just concluded election has proved that democracy, which should be a government of the people, by the people and for the people, can thrive in Nigeria if we all sincerely work towards that.”

PUNCH

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