Edo 2020: APC congratulates Obaseki, says outcome victory for democracy

 APC says the peaceful conduct of the Edo governorship election and its outcome are a victory for Nigeria’s democracy

 

Although the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost Saturday’s governorship election, it has congratulated the victor, Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 

The Chairman of the APC National Caretaker Committee, Mala Buni, says that the peaceful conduct of the election and its outcome represents a victory for Nigeria’s democracy.

 

He said this in a statement issued in Damaturu, Yobe State, on Monday, adding that the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari remained committed to free and fair elections.

 

This, he said, was critical to strengthening the foundation of the country’s political and moral authority.

 

Mr Buni’s statement was released hours after he and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

The officials did not disclose details of their discussion with the president but they are believed to have discussed the Edo election.

 

President Buhari had earlier commended the election and pledged commitment to free and fair elections.

 

Mr Buni, who is also the Governor of Yobe State, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and all political parties that contested the election for the successful conduct of the exercise.

 

He also commended the APC candidate at the election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, for his tenacity and leadership qualities.

Mr Buni also appreciated the efforts of the immediate past national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, and other members for demonstrating unwavering support for the party and its candidate in the election.

 

Mr Buni added that with the election over, it was time to unite to move the country’s democracy forward and put an end to the era when the electoral contest became warfare.

 

“We appeal to our members to be strengthened by the outcome of the election and unite in order to correct the problems that worked against our party and our candidate in the election.

 

“As progressives and democrats, we are confident that all leaders and members of the party will celebrate the outcome of the election as free and fair as acknowledge by our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari.

 

“Let us unite to move our democracy forward.

 

“We must put an end to the era when electoral contest become warfare.

 

“We urge our candidate and all our members to join us in congratulating Mr Godwin Obaseki and the PDP as winner of the election.

 

“Our attention must now shift to Ondo State and ensure that we win the October 10, 2020 election.

 

“Sept. 19, 2020 Edo election should present a new watershed,” Buni stressed.

 

Below is the full speech by Governor Buni.

 

Edo State Governorship Election: Victory for Democracy

 

September 21, 2020

The September 19, 2020 Edo State Governorship election is over, the winner has been declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the person of the Mr. Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP). We hereby congratulate the winner of the election, the people of Edo State and all Nigerians.

 

The peaceful conduct of the election and its outcome represent victory for Nigeria’s democracy

 

As a party, we join our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, to affirm our ‘commitment to free and fair elections’ in order to strengthen ‘the foundation for our political and moral authority’.

 

We commend INEC, our security agencies and all political parties that contested the election for the successful conduct of the election.

 

As a governing party, we will take every step necessary to support the Federal Government to consolidate all the gains achieved.

 

We, in particular want to salute our candidate in the election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamuh for his tenacity and leadership.

 

We similarly commend our Edo State leaders, especially our immediate past National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and all our members in Edo State for demonstrating unwavering support for our party and our candidate in the election.

 

In the face of all the challenges, we collectively remained faithful and worked tirelessly during the campaigns.

 

We appeal to all our members to be strengthened by the outcome of the election and unite in order to correct all the problems that worked against our party and our candidate in the just concluded election.

 

Finally, we specially hereby celebrate our Edo State 2020 Governorship Campaign Council led by His Excellency Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Governor of Kano State. We acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of all members of the Campaign Council.

 

As progressives and democrats, we are confident that all leaders and members of the party will celebrate the outcome of the election as free and fair as acknowledge by our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari.

 

Let us unite to move our democracy forward. We must put an end to the era when electoral contest become warfare. We urge our candidate and all our members to join us in congratulating Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the PDP, being the declared winner of the election.

 

Our attention must now shift to Ondo State and ensure that we win the October 10, 2020 election.

 

September 19, 2020 Edo election should present a new watershed.

 

We will work hard to win the Ondo election. Having reaffirmed our commitment to free and fair elections, it is our expectation that all opposition parties in the country will also commit themselves to free and fair contests.

 

We will therefore accordingly expect congratulatory message from all parties just as we similarly guarantee that once we are defeated in a fair contest, we will congratulate the winner.

 

May God continue to bless our democracy, our nation and our people!

 

His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni

 

Chairman, APC Caretaker Extraordinary/Convention Planning Committee