Governor Godwin Obaseki has again commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the role he played in ensuring the success of the September 19 governorship election in Edo State.
The Governor singled out Buhari for praise because according to him, the President could have used federal might to secure victory for his party in the polls but he decided to do away with partisan politics.
He, therefore, declared that President Buhari should be remembered as the father of democracy in Nigeria because he “had a choice to ensure and insist that his party wins in the state but he rose above partisan politics and insisted the right be done.”
Obaseki spoke on Tuesday after he received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second term in office as the Edo State Governor.
He also hailed the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, for the fatherly role he played before, during and after the elections in ensuring that peace prevailed.
While commending INEC under the leadership of its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Obaseki also called on all stakeholders including Osagie Ize-Iyamu to join hands with him in moving the state forward.
“Despite all the criticisms, the ability of INEC to view results as the counting was taking place in polling units is one innovation we urge INEC to maintain and improve on.
“This has introduced a different element of transparency in the way we conduct elections in Nigeria,” the Governor declared.
It will be recalled that Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 307,955 votes to defeat all other candidates including Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 223,619 votes.
INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh declared Obaseki winner of the election.
