President Muhammadu Buhari said on Sunday that his commitment to free-and-fair elections in Nigeria remains firm.
“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,” the President said in a congratulatory message
Godwin Obaseki on his re-election as governor of Edo State.
The message was contained in a statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu.
The President also commended the election process in the state, reiterating the government’s commitment to free and fair elections.
According to Buhari, “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.”
While commending the governor for his victory at the polls, the president urged him him to continue to show grace and humility in victory.
He also commended the people of the state, the parties, candidates and security agencies for conducting themselves responsibly.
It was a dramatic process that saw Obaseki run a governorship race against Ize-Iyamu for a second time in four years.
Both men faced each other in 2016, albeit with Obasek flying the flag of the APC and Ize-Iyamu flying that of the PDP.
The governorship election in Edo State has dominated public discuss for months following the intensity of the contest.
The situation was engendered by the falling apart of Obaseki and Adams Oshiomhole, immediate past governor of the state.
