Edo Election: Buhari, Tinubu Hail APC Over Victory, Urge Aggrieved Parties To Seek Legal Action

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on his victory in the Edo State governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday September 22 declared APC’s Okpebholo as the winner of the election.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu lauded APC’s leadership for its effort.

While commending APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for working hard to achieve victory, Tinubu stated that the victory is a testament of the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.

The president urged Senator Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to see it as a challenging call to service.

He encourages him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political opponents and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development.

President Tinubu also extoled other candidates who participated in the election for their contributions to advancing Nigeria’s democracy, adding that peaceful political contests, such as the one on Saturday, portray Nigeria as a stable democracy.

The President urges all those aggrieved by the election outcome to seek redress through the legal channels.

In addition, the president commended the people of Edo State for their orderly and peaceful conduct during the election, underscoring the maturing of Nigeria’s democracy after 25 years.

President Tinubu further commended INEC and the security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful and largely hitch-free exercise.

He stated that INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organizing a free and fair election in the country.

In the same vain, former President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) and governor-elect Senator Monday Okpebholo on their victory in the Edo state governorship election.

In a statement shared on Buhari’s X account and signed by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the former president described the win as “prized” and “historic”. 

The former president expressed hope that both the incoming administration and the opposition would work together to strengthen democracy and maintain the state’s development trajectory.

“Congratulations to the APC and the election winner, Senator Monday Okpebholo on the historic electoral victory and my warmest wishes for a new lease of life for Edo State and its people. 

“I very much hope the winners and the losers would work together to strengthen democracy and maintain the trajectory of development in the state. 

“I commend law enforcement agencies for the efforts that they put in ensuring a peaceful election and the multitude of election officials who strive to improve their act with each election. 

“I pray that Nigeria, the continent’s most populous country, will continue to achieve remarkable progress under democracy.” The statement added.