By Iduozee Paul Benin
INEC National Electoral Commissioner in charge of Edo, Bayelsa and Rivers states, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu (left); Edo State Governor and Governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki during presentation of Certificate of Return to Obaseki, at the INEC headquarters in Benin City – Photo: TheGuardian
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, gave the Certificate of Return to Governor Godwin Obaseki, who emerged winner in the September 19 governorship election in Edo State.
The certificate was presented to the governor and his running mate, Philip Shaibu by May Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC national commissioner supervising Edo, Rivers and Bayelsa states, 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 State.
Receiving the certificate, Godwin Obaseki said President Buhari would be remembered as father of democracy because he had a choice to make sure his party won in the state but insisted that the right thing be done.
The governor also thanked the Oba of Benin for prayers and being a model.
“I want to finally thank 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 up to.
“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”.
He commended the innovation introduced by INEC which helped track voting and the security personnel for their roles.
“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 introduced different element of transparency in 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”.
Obaseki reached out to Ize-Iyamu and Odhiohmole to join in building the state.
“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 the 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.
“I want to use this occasion to call on 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 stated.