The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mr Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress(APC) winner of the Edo governorship election held on Wednesday.
A statment issued by INEC said, Godwin Obaseki polled 319,483 to defeat his closest rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), who scored 253,173 votes.
Full text of the statement read:
“The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, in the Wednesday, 28, September, 2016 governorship election held in Edo state, has been declared winner by the Returning Officer, Professor Kayode Soremekun, having polled a total of 319,483 votes to defeat 18 other candidates.
“Godwin Obaseki was followed by the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Ize-Iyamu Osagie Andrew, who polled a total of 253,173 votes”
“Declaring the result, Professor Soremekun, said that: “Godwin Obaseki, having fulfilled the requirements of the law and got the highest votes is the winner and is returned elected”.”
“The state has a total of 1,900,223 registered voters, and 622,039 were accredited for the election while a total of 613,244 votes were casted. A total of 582,299 votes were valid and 30,945 votes were rejected across the eighteen (18) Local Government Areas in the state.”
Buhari Congratulates Obaseki On Victory At Polls
President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja congratulated the government and people of Edo State on the successful conclusion of the gubernatorial election, and the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Godwin Obaseki at the polls.
In a telephone call to Governor Adams Oshomole, President Buhari commended the well-articulated campaign programme of the APC in the state, the doggedness of the governor, governor-elect and party members in going round the state to reach the people with records of good governance over the years and a promise of continuity.
According to the President, the outcome of the election clearly reflected the mood of the people to sustain the pedigree of responsiveness, forthrightness and diligence that Governor Oshomole brought into the service of his people.
‘‘The victory is good for democracy, for Nigeria and the people of Edo State,’’ he said.
President Buhari said the victory was well-deserved as the campaign train, which he joined, worked hard to sell its people-centered manifesto.
The President also applauded the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, corps members and electorate in ensuring a peaceful election.
INEC had announced that Obaseki won the majority of the votes cast, with a total of 319,483 votes, and he was closely followed by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP, who polled 253,173 votes.