Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC on his emergence as the winner of the just concluded Governorship election in Edo State.
Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to beat his closest opponent, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who scored 247,274 votes in the September 21 governorship election results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Sunday evening.
Governor Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, made available to journalists on Monday, hailed the people of Edo State for reposing confidence in the APC and its Renewed Hope agenda and rewarding the party with Okpebholo’s victory.
The Ekiti Governor who stated that Edo people have spoken through the ballot, congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for deepening democracy in the country, adding that the outcome of the Edo election is a vote of confidence in the Tinubu administration.
Oyebanji also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for ensuring that the people’s votes count, stressing that democracy is taking a firm root in the country, with the electorate being able to reward political parties and candidates, appropriately with their votes.
He called on the Okpebholo, the Governor-elect and his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa, to be magnanimous in victory and extend hands of fellowship to their opponents in the election.
Oyebanji also urged the Governor-elect to see his election as a call to serve, urging him to implement people-oriented programmes and policies that would bring progress and prosperity to the people.
“The Edo people have spoken clearly and loudly. Hearty congratulations to my brother, the Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa.
“The victory is also a vote of confidence in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has deepened our democracy. It is a victory for our party APC and indeed a victory for democracy.
“It is a new day in Edo State and I congratulate the people of the state for returning the state to the progressive fold”, the Governor added.
