In what appears to be a change of mind, the ruling All Progressives Congress on Monday, congratulated Edo State governor, Governor Godwin Obaseki for his victory in the gubernatorial election that took place on Saturday, September 19, 2020.
With this, APC has finally conceded defeat at the polls, describing the election free and fair.
Mai Mala Buni, Chairman of APC’s Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee, declared this in a statement with the title, “Edo State Governorship Election: Victory for Democracy.”
“Edo State Governorship election is over, the winner has been declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the person of the Mr. Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the People Democratic Party.
“We hereby congratulate the winner of the election, the people of Edo State and all Nigerians. The peaceful conduct of the election and its outcome represent victory for Nigeria’s democracy
“As a party, we join our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, to affirm our ‘commitment to free and fair elections’ in order to strengthen ‘the foundation for our political and moral authority.
“We commend INEC, our security agencies and all political parties that contested the election for the successful conduct of the election. As a governing party, we will take every step necessary to support the Federal Government to consolidate all the gains achieved.”
On Sunday, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, APC’s candidate in the election, congratulated Obaseki, but added that he was still studying the results declared by the INEC, after which he would declare his next move.
He thanked his “teaming supporters” many of whom he alleged were prevented from casting their votes.
Obaseki won with 307,955 votes to beat Ize-Iyamu, who scored 223,619 votes at the polls.
