Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council for the Edo State governorship election, Nyesom Wike has reacted to the just concluded election in the state.
Wike, who is also Rivers State Governor, said congratulated the PDP candidate and incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, on his electoral victory in the poll.
Addressing PDP supporters in Benin, Wike said God used Obaseki to end godfatherism in Edo State.
“Let me now formally introduce the newest governor, the man who God used to fight godfatherism. If for nothing, we have achieved that there is nothing called godfatherism again in Edo politics.
“Edo people have spoken and Edo people have said ‘look, we cannot alter our fate on one man’s hands. That was what Edo people did yesterday,” he said.
Wike however commended INEC and the Nigeria Police Force on their conduct during the Edo Governorship Election.
He added that the conduct of INEC and the Police showed that they were ready to correct the mistakes of the past.
“With the re-election of Governor Obaseki, the entire South-South Region is now completely PDP.
“What this means is that the entire South-South can now speak with one voice on issues concerning us,’’ he said.
Wike thanked the people of Rivers for their prayers, which led to Obaseki’s victory in Edo.
Similarly, at a brief reception by PDP leaders at Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike said that with the Edo victory “there is hope’’ for the country’s democracy.
According to him, the neutrality of the electoral body and security agencies will make one to say the election was free and fair.
He thanked the Party Leaders for their solidarity throughout the election period and urged them to maintain the spirit.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Elders Advisory Council of the PDP, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, commended Gov. Wike for leading a successful campaign.
Alabraba said the victory in Edo had proved that Wike “is always committed to any assignment given to him’’.
Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to defeat his closest rival APC’s Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who garnered 223,619 to win a second term as governor of Edo State.
INEC Returning Officer for the poll, Professor Akpofure Rem-Rukeh, declared the governor as the winner on Sunday at the office of the electoral umpire in Benin City, which doubled as the final collation centre.
