Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, declared yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari will be remembered as father of democracy in Nigeria for ensuring last Saturday’s governorship election in the state was free, fair and credible.

Obaseki stated this while receiving his Certificate of Return at the head office of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The re-elected governor, who hailed President Buhari’s insistence on the need for credible election, noted that the president had the option to ensure the APC candidate won the governorship election in the state but decided to do the right thing by allowing the votes of the people to count.

Obaseki as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeated his main challenger, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), last Saturday to retain the governorship position of the state.

Speaking after receiving his certificate of return, Obaseki said, “I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for the part he played in ensuring a free, fair and credible election. He will be remembered as the father of democracy in Nigeria. He had a choice to ensure his party was declared winner but insisted that the right thing be done.”

Obaseki however extended the olive branch by calling on former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole; gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and other members of the APC to join hands with his administration to develop the state.

He said, “I use this opportunity to reach out to our brothers on the other side of the divide as we are one family in the pursuit to provide public good for our citizens. The election shows that they trust us more now to provide leadership. It doesn’t mean the opposition parties don’t have a role to play.

“I use this opportunity to extend the hands of fellowship to my brother, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his other colleagues in the APC as well as other parties to join hands with us to move Edo forward.

“I call on Adams Oshiomhole that the fight is over and he should come and join in building the house which he was part of, in laying the foundation. We have no malice but only disagree on the approach in moving Edo forward”.

The governor also commended the leadership of INEC for the unbiased role they played in the election.

Hailing the INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, for not buckling under pressure as an umpire, the governor said advocated the deployment of more technology as a measure to ensure fair and credible polls.

He stated: “I want to thank the INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for his intellect in introducing technology to provide transparency in the process. He should be hailed by all as INEC was able to view results as the counting of votes was ongoing in units across the state. This has introduced another ornament of transparency in the way we do election in Nigeria.

“Technology is the way to go, if we must have free, fair and credible elections in the future. Edo people spoke and their voices were heard because INEC did its best, did its job and decided to remain impartial in the whole process of the election”.

The governor who praised the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its tenacity and doggedness in ensuring the party got victory also saluted the Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, for the fatherly role he played in ensuring the election held peacefully.

He added: “I also thank the Benin Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, for his fatherly role in ensuring that the election was peaceful. I thank Edo people and Clergy men for their prayers and support towards ensuring a successful election. I thank God for helping Edo State conduct an election which many predicted would be bloody and characterised by violence, but God stepped in and made it peaceful”.

Presenting the certificate of return to the governor, the INEC national commissioner in charge of Edo, Bayelsa and Rivers states, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, said the certificate presentation is in fulfilment of the statutory obligation of the commission as required by the electoral law.

She noted: “This occasion is made possible because of the successful conduct of the Governorship election on Saturday. I must thank all stakeholders and the good and peace-loving people of Edo State for your contribution and commitment to credible and safe conclusion of the election process in Edo State. INEC has played its humble part and we always maintain that a successfully conducted election is a collective effort as this election has proven to be”.

The resident electoral commissioner in Edo State, Alalibo Johnson expressed appreciation to the security agencies for their collaboration which led to the huge success of the poll.

He said, “Section 76 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended has mandated the commission to issue Certificate of Return within seven days to the candidate who wins the election. This event is another fulfilment of the law.”

https://www.reubenabati.com.ng/index.php/component/k2/item/18510-pmb-will-be-remembered-as-father-of-democracy-obaseki

Obaseki on his way to APC ? Time will tell.


Reactions:

Now talking

Baba calm down first, just hope ur election will not be technically rig in appeal court.
Don't trust sinzu just yet.

...

Iyooooooo cartel

Buhari is a mad tribalistic slowpoke with no iota of wisdom and will continue to remain so!

The language for no funny like say the result go the other way sha

is obaseki alright

He's right....its hard for any other party to breathe during obj tenure

... no petition to EU, US, UK, et al because you won abi!
.. #yinmu#

Instead of you to thank God and US

you no go keep your mouth shut.

Lmao
You people are just clay in the hands of politicians
U foolishly thought a revolution can come about through Obaseki?
So funny

Obaseki na man you be.....but nor too overhype PMB....thank God,US,inec new portal and the innovation of the situation room....PMB hands where handicapped....Buhari is the worst thing that happen to our democracy...

To you but to others he remains an autocrat

Oga, you have won election.

Don’t say what will provoke your genuine supporters please

Father of Demo wetin

Obaseki is kissing another godfather in his @$$.

Ipobs are killed herdsmen are spared. Thats democracy?

Make this guy face his new govt and praise Edo people.

Obaseki what do you mean by that
We did not fight for you for this
Pls stop it here.
Buhari is a terrorists

This obaseki sef

limeta:
Obaseki what do you mean by that
We did not fight for you for this
Pls stop it here.
Buhari is a terrorists

How exactly did you fight for him? Are you from Edo state?

Damnnnnn niggarrr
Have always known buhari to be a real niggarrr


I know right from day one say he nor go interfere for this election

ojaysam25:
Obaseki na man you be.....but nor too overhype PMB....thank God,US,inec new portal and the innovation of the situation room....PMB hands where handicapped....Buhari is the worst thing that happen to our democracy...

Some of you are too childish and ignorant to comment on certain stuffs. Who gives a shit whether there is US or not? Wasnt there US during the years of Obj when Senate presidents and governors were being changed like diapers? Wasnt there IS when Jonathan did what he did in Ekiti and Rivers state?

If the President decides the process won't be free or fair, all he needs to do is order the security agencies to ensure his preferred candidate emerges victorious, US, INEC website notwithstanding.

The president deserves accolades for his unbiased position.

osho said same in 2012. but GMB is a destroyer who knows nothing about democracy. the peoples revolution defeated his gang of hedonist

Thank you Obaseki for saying the truth. Even Anambra governor thanked him for not interfering in the governorship elections.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-east/250160-anambra-election-apga-thanks-buhari-obianos-victory.html

limeta:
Obaseki what do you mean by that
We did not fight for you for this
Pls stop it here.
Buhari is a terrorists

.. Obesiki has said the truth. I said it severally, Buhari deserves Credit for this free and fair election in Edo. Obaseki knows this Himself, but you are here venting all your frustrations in life on buhari who has achieved what no body in your generation has achieved.. Obesiki has given the credit on Buhari, so you Can go and hug transformers.

omenka:
Some of you are too childish and ignorant to comment on certain stuffs. Who gives a shit whether there is US or not? Wasnt there US during the years of Obj when Senate presidents and governors were being changed like diapers? Wasnt there IS when Jonathan did what he did in Ekiti and Rivers state?

If the President decides the process won't be free or fair, all he needs to do is order the security agencies to ensure his preferred candidate emerges victorious, US, INEC website notwithstanding.

The president deserves accolades for his unbiased position.

You are the ignorant one here...obaseki gave them close marking with the invention of the situation room couple with inec website which made the election transparent and impossible to rig...APC least expected this,thats why they were so confident of victory via rigging before the election....obaseki really surprise them..
The election would have being rigged effectively if not for these new invention by obaseki and Inec couple with the intervention of US....
PMB doesn't deserve any credit here....even he was rigged into office.

ojaysam25:

You are the ignorant one here...obaseki gave them close marking with the invention of the situation room couple with inec website which made the election transparent and impossible to rig...APC least expected this,thats why they were so confident of victory via rigging before the election....obaseki really surprise them..
The election would have being rigged effectively if not for these new invention by obaseki and Inec couple with the intervention of US....
PMB doesn't deserve any credit here....even he was rigged into office.

You're a kid who knows nothing about the Nigerian political atmosphere.

Bye.

omenka:
You're a kid who knows nothing about the Nigerian political atmosphere.

Bye.

You're so obsessed with PMB...if only you can channel that energy you use in defending him and that drug baron in something more productive perhaps you will not be this miserable...

The real father of democracy in Nigeria is the one that left power for Buhari, who said "the blood of any Nigerian is not worth his political ambition" not the one who forced himself on us by using that INEC chairman and removing the chief justice of Nigeria so nothing will stand on his way.






















And who is that person ?

ojaysam25:

You are the ignorant one here...obaseki gave them close marking with the invention of the situation room couple with inec website which made the election transparent and impossible to rig...APC least expected this,thats why they were so confident of victory via rigging before the election....obaseki really surprise them..
The election would have being rigged effectively if not for these new invention by obaseki and Inec couple with the intervention of US....
PMB doesn't deserve any credit here....even he was rigged into office.

God bless you really good. Amen.

anonimi:
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