President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, congratulated Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Governor-elect Usman Ododo of Kogi State, on their victory in the November 11 governorship elections in their respective states.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement that “President Tinubu says the outcome of the elections reflects the wishes of the people, emphasising that democracy thrives when voters reward competence, transparency, and good governance.”
The President also commended the electorate in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa for their participation in the electoral process.But the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party faulted the results of the Kogi and Imo polls, alleging that the security agents connived with the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission to rig the elections.
To the winners, Tinubu said, “May your tenure in office be defined by close collaboration with all of your counterparts across party lines in the attainment of pan-Nigerian developmental achievements that benefit everyone, and may you lead at all times with compassion and a deepened commitment to our nation’s unity.”
He affirmed the resilience of democratic institutions and the power of the people in shaping the nation’s political landscape.
He also expressed gratitude to INEC for working to create a level playing field for all contestants and the nation’s security agencies for maintaining law and order during the highly-anticipated elections.
He tasked the victors to prioritise the common good of the people over partisan interests in the spirit of nurturing a harmonious, inclusive political landscape in the three states.
Uzodimma, in a broadcast in Owerri on Monday, dedicated his electoral victory to God and to the people of the state.
He said, “It is with a deep sense of humility, appreciation, and an abiding faith in God that I humbly accept the great honour and privilege to serve as your governor for a second term of four years.
“Because I acknowledge God in everything I do and because I know that power comes from God, the first thing I did upon receiving the news of my victory yesterday was to proceed to the church to thank God for his goodness to me and Imo people.”
Similarly, shortly after he was declared the winner of the Bayelsa poll by the INEC state Returning Officer, Prof. Kuta Farouq, Diri declared that he would continue to be governor for all Bayelsans.
He said, “I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who cast your vote in my favour and entrusted me with the responsibility of leading our beloved state.
“I am also immensely grateful to the leadership of our great party, PDP, at all levels and our dedicated campaign team and supporters, who worked tirelessly to spread our message of progress and unity throughout Bayelsa State. Your unwavering belief in our vision for prosperity and your relentless efforts have brought us this sweet victory.”
But the Bayelsa APC rejected the result of the poll.
The state APC agent, Dennis Otiotio, refused to sign the results sheets.
Otiotio claimed that the APC would have won the governorship election if over 84,000 votes scored by the party in the field were not allegedly voided by INEC.
He said, “Over 84,000 votes scored by the APC in Nembe and Southern Ijaw were cancelled. So, we will not be signing this result. In Nembe, over 29,000 votes that the APC scored were cancelled; in Southern Ijaw, over 54,000 votes that the APC scored were cancelled.
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