Ex-President, Buhari celebrates Edo gov-elect, hails electoral process

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the winner of the Edo State governorship election, Monday Okpebholo, following his electoral victory.

Buhari in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, also commended the law enforcement agencies for their efforts in ensuring a peaceful election.

He expressed hope that both the leaders of the incoming administration and of the parties that lost will work together to strengthen democracy and maintain the trajectory of the state’s development.

He said, “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 will work together to strengthen democracy and maintain the trajectory of development in the state.

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

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

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday, September 23, declared Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the Edo state 2024 governorship election.

Okpebholo beat his tightest rival Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party scored 291,667 votes.

PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo scored 247,274 votes and Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata finished third scoring 22,763 votes.