Buhari also said the APC victory in Ekiti was an indication that the party was getting stronger and more united.
By Emma Ogbuehi
President Muhammadu Buhari has said the landslide victory of his party in the Ekiti governorship election which held on Saturday was a proof of the confidence Nigerians reposed in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to deliver quality governance to all.
Buhari also said the APC victory was an indication that the party was getting stronger and more united.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, candidate of the APC, winner of the poll.
Oyebanji won with 187,057 votes, while the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Segun Oni, got 82,211 votes, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Otunba Olabisi Kolawole, came third with 67,457 votes.
In his congratulatory message to Oyebanji on Sunday, Buhari said “the victory of our party (APC) in Ekiti is an indication of the confidence of Nigerians in the ability of our great party to deliver quality governance to all.”
Addressing Senator Abdullahi Adamu, APC national chairman, the President in the statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said, “This is a good beginning for you and your team. The APC is getting stronger and more united.”
While rejoicing with the national chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) for the victory, the first under their watch, Buhari charged all APC members within and outside the country to see the result as a good omen for the 2023 general election, urging party faithful to replicate the feat in the standalone Osun State governorship alone in July.
Buhari, who said the victory was well deserved considering Oyebanji’s contributions to the development of the State and the party before his nomination as the standard-bearer, however, urged the Governor-elect to be magnanimous in victory in the interest of the people of the State.
The President also felicitated with the people of Ekiti State for the smooth conduct of the election, affirming that they are the real victors as they have been able to freely choose their leader for the next four years.
He lauded INEC and the law enforcement agencies for the preparations put in place, urging them to keep the momentum for upcoming elections.
