INEC Presents Certificates of Return to Obaseki and Shaibu

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday, 22nd September 2020 presented Certificates of Return to Governor Godwin Obaseki and his running mate and Edo deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, who emerged winner in the gubernatorial election in Edo State.

The certificate was presented to the governor Obaseki and Comrade Shaibu, by May Agbamuche-Mbu, the National Commissioner supervising Edo, Rivers and Bayelsa State, at the commission's office in Benin City.

May Agbamuche-Mbu thanked all stakeholders and Edo people for their contributions and commitment towards the credible and safe conclusion of the election process in Edo.

Receiving the certificate, Governor Godwin Obaseki said: "President Muhammandu Buhari would be remembered as father of democracy because he had a choice to make sure his party wins in the state but insisted the right thing be done. 

"I want to finally thank the His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for his fatherly role, for the prayers for peace and for being that symbol we all look upto.

"You will agree with me that today history has been made again but this couldn't have been possible if God didn't will it so. So, we are grateful to God that we went through the election in a peaceful and conducive atmosphere.

"Despite all the criticisms the ability of INEC to view results as the counting is taking place in units is one innovation we will implore INEC to improve on it because it has introduces different element of transparency of the way we conduct election in Nigeria. 

"I want to thank the police and other security agencies for their professionalism throughout the elections. Everyone prior to the election anticipated the high level of violence but the security agencies made the election peaceful.

"I want to use this opportunity to reach out to our colleagues, friends and brothers on the other side of the divide; we are one family with pursuit to provide services and leadership for our citizens. 

"I am using this opportunity to extend a hand of fellowship to my brother, Osagie Ize-iyamu, and other colleagues in the All Progressives Congress, to work with us so that we can move Edo forward. 

"To our colleagues, to our friends and brothers in the other side of the devide, we are one family in the pursuit to provide good services and good governance for our citizens. Our citizens have decided that for now, they trust us more to provide them the leadership. It does not mean that they do not have role to play, it does not mean they are not part of the family. So, l am using this medium to extend the hand of fellowship to my brother, my friend, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, APC candidate to come on board and lets move Edo state forward and also the former National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, that the fight is over, to come and join in building the house where he was part of laying the foundation. We have no malice, the only thing we disagreed on is on the approach in moving Edo forward," he said.