Edo: APC’s governorship election victory, vote of confidence in Tinubu – Sen. Barau

Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Jibrin Barau, has hailed the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s governorship election in Edo, describing it as a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu.

Barau made the commendation in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir on Monday.

The deputy senate president, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, said that the people’s say remained the most potent force in any democracy.

Barau commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for upholding the people’s will as expressed by their votes.

He also applauded the visionary leadership of the national chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, which, according to him, has given the party more cohesion and ultimately led to the party’s victory in the election.

“The victory of our great party, the All Progresives Congress in last Saturday’s governorship election in Edo is well-deserved.

“I congratulate the governor-elect, Okpebholo and all our supporters for this victory. It is not just a victory for the APC but for our democracy and the people of Edo.

“This victory is a further expression of the confidence of the people of the state in the exemplary leadership and performance of President Tinubu since his assumption of office in May last year.

“It is also a result of the visionary leadership of our national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who has made the party more cohesive and paved the way for its victory in this election,” he said.

Barau, while calling on the governor-elect to be magnanimous in victory, urged all those who contested the elections but lost to lend their support in moving Edo forward.

“I, therefore, implore my friend, the governor-elect, Okpebholo, to be magnanimous in victory and equally call on all others who contested against him but lost to lend their hands of support in moving Edo forward,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Sen. Monday Okpebholo of the APC as the winner of the Edo governorship election.

Okpebholo polled 291, 667 votes against Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 247, 274 votes.

While the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Olumide Akpata, garnered 22, 763 votes to place third.