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President Buhari commends ‘the winner’ of Edo governorship election
BY NICHOLAS ABE
President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the governorship “election process” in Edo State but shied away from calling the winner of the election, Godwin Obaseki of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), by name.
In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Obaseki as polling the highest number of votes and duly elected, President Buhari congratulated “the winner” and urged him to show grace and humility in victory.
The president’s statement as released by Shehu reads:
PRESIDENT BUHARI COMMENDS ELECTION PROCESS IN EDO STATE, REITERATES COMMITMENT TO FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS
President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the election process in Edo State which led to the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The President congratulated the winner and urged him to show grace and humility in victory.
In his reaction to the outcome of the election as announced by INEC, President Buhari said:
“My commitment to free and fair elections is firm, because without free and fair elections, the foundation of our political and moral authority will be weak.”
The President added:
“I have consistently advocated for free and fair elections in the country because it is the bedrock of true democratic order.
“Democracy will mean nothing if the votes of the people don’t count or if their mandate is fraudulently tampered with.”
He commended the people of Edo State, the parties, candidates and security agencies for conducting themselves responsibly.
Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) September 20, 2020
READ: BREAKING: Godwin Obaseki wins Edo governorship election