By Adesina Soyooye
President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the election process in the Edo State Governorship which led to the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki as the winner.
He also commended the People of Edo State for the peaceful manner most of them conducted themselves during the election which held on September 19.
Most important, the President, behaving like a father to all, has congratulated the winner of the election, Obaseki, who roundly defeated the President’s candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Describing himself as an advocate of democracy, he urged Obaseki to show grace and humility in victory.
In a statement signed on the President’s behalf by Garba Shehu, President Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant, the President said :
“My commitment to free and fair elections is firm, because without free and fair elections, the foundation of our political and moral authority will be weak.
“I have consistently advocated for free and fair elections in the country because it is the bedrock of true democratic order.
“Democracy will mean nothing if the votes of the people don’t count or if their mandate is fraudulently tampered with.”
A couple of days to the election, the President had enjoined the INEC and Security Agencies to perform their job without fear or favour. They definitely listened to him, as most people agree that the election, which many had feared would be bloody, was mostly peaceful.
