Saraki Reacts As Obaseki Wins Edo Governorship Election

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has reacted to the conduct and eventual outcome of the 2020 Edo State governorship election.

Saraki who wrote on his Twitter page on Sunday shortly after the results were declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), noted that the outcome has several implications.

It will be recalled as reported by Naija News that Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been declared by INEC as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.

He polled 307,955 votes to defeat all other candidates including Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 223,619 votes.

In his reaction to Obaseki’s victory, Saraki congratulated the Governor, describing him as a friend and brother. He also commended the people of Edo State for voting their choice of leader and protecting their votes.

He wrote: “I congratulate my friend and brother @GovernorObaseki on his re-election as Governor of Edo State.”

“The result of the Edo guber election represents the true wish of the people who stood firmly behind their Governor against power mongers who were determined to foist their choice on the people. It represents the will of the people to vote in free, fair and credible elections.”

“The people who had sleepless nights in order to protect their votes, who rejected the cash being thrown around to buy their votes and the intimidation to force them to compromise their belief deserve our praise. Therefore, my congratulations go to all the people of Edo State.”

Saraki also congratulated the PDP both at the National and State levels for the victory at the polls.

“Let me give kudos to the leaders and governors in our party – @OfficialPDPNig – for working together to achieve this victory.

“The @OfficialPDPNig leaders and members in Edo State who whole-heartedly accepted @GovernorObaseki
since he joined the party and co-operated with him to bring about this victory deserve to be appreciated.”

The former Kwara State Governor then went ahead to list some of the things observed from the election.

“The result of the just concluded election also represents the fact that our people actually desire to be governed by a truly democratic government headed by those they genuinely voted for.”

“It represents the fact that our security and electoral officials can conduct free and fair elections if they have the right atmosphere.”

“We are happy that throughout this election we did not see the military brutalizing the people or security officials supervising the snatching of ballot boxes and vandalization of votes. Thus, the military and other security agencies deserve commendation for this successful poll.”

“We also saw how @inecnigeria maturely handled the complaints of the APC agent who sought to create confusion at the state collation centre when the Orihomwon LGA result was about to be declared. INEC and its officials deserve to be commended for their neutrality in this election.”

“We can see that the result represents realistic figures from one local government area to the other. No case of outlandish figures being reeled out. That is also a sign of some level of credibility in the process.”

He thereafter commended President Muhammadu Buhari for keeping the military out of the election, commended INEC for its neutrality, and urged Obaseki to deliver on his campaign promises to the people of Edo State.

“It is for the above reasons that I have to commend President @MBuhari for keeping the military out of this election and for giving the instructions that led to the apparent neutrality of @inecnigeria officials and other security officials involved in the entire process.”

“The Edo election result is a victory for our country, her people and democracy. We have shown that the glory of the country is more valuable to the citizens than the wish of a tiny power clique.”

“Finally, I call on @GovernorObaseki to see his re-election as an opportunity to deliver on his campaign promises and to continually work to actualize the wishes and aspirations of the Edo people.”