Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has described the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), as the father of democracy.
He made this known while receiving the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, after winning the Edo State governorship election.
Obaseki who is now cleared for a second term in office praised Buhari for making the elecion on Saturday free and fair.
“I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for the part he played in ensuring a free, fair and credible election. He will be remembered as the father of democracy in Nigeria. He had a choice to ensure his party was declared winner but insisted that the right thing be done,” he said.
The governor commended INEC for conducting the election without bias and also its chairman for his ability to withstand pressure.
He said: “I want to thank the INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for his intellect in introducing technology to provide transparency in the process.
“He should be hailed by all as INEC was able to view results as the counting of votes was ongoing in units across the state. This has introduced another ornament of transparency in the way we do election in Nigeria.”
He praised the leadership of the PDP for it’s effort in ensuring victory at the poll.
“Technology is the way to go, if we must have free, fair and credible elections in the future. Edo people spoke and their voices were heard because INEC did its best, did its job and decided to remain impartial in the whole process of the election.
“I also thank the Benin Monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, for his fatherly role in ensuring that the election was peaceful. I thank Edo people and Clergy men for their prayers and support towards ensuring a successful election. I thank God for helping Edo State conduct an election which many predicted would be bloody and characterised by violence, but God stepped in and made it peaceful,” he added.
