Ekiti 2022: President Buhari Congratulates Oyebanji, Adamu Over APC Victory, Says Osun Is Next

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.

The President described it as a well-deserved victory and congratulated the candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu and other members for a successful outing.

Buhari’s reaction was contained in a statement on Sunday by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina.

It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the early hours of Sunday, declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Abiodun Oyebanji as the winner of the governorship election in Ekiti State.

Oyebanji who won 15 out of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state gathered 187,057 votes.

The Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Segun Oni came second with 82,211, while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bisi Kolawole gathered 67,457 votes.

The returning officer for the election, Professor Kayode Oyebode at 3:04 am on Sunday declared Oyebanji the winner of the governorship election.

Reacting, President Buhari in his statement said “the victory is well deserved considering Oyebanji’s contributions to the development of the State and the party, before his nomination as the standard bearer, urging him, however, to be magnanimous in victory in the interest of the people of the State.”

He also rejoiced with the APC chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, and the National Working Committee for the victory, the first under the tenure of the newly elected executives of the party.

“This is a good beginning for you and your team. The APC is getting stronger and more united. The victory of our party in Ekiti is an indication of the confidence of Nigerians in the ability of our great party to deliver quality governance to all,” said the President.

He charged all APC members across and outside the country to see this as a good omen for the 2023 general elections and work assiduously to ensure the party’s victory, continuing the trend with Osun State next month July.

President Buhari also felicitates the people of Ekiti State for the smooth conduct of the election, affirming that they are the real victors as they have been able to freely choose their leader for the next four years.

He lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission and the law enforcement agencies for the preparations put in place, urging them to keep the momentum for upcoming elections.