reelection is a good sign for Nigeria’s democracy.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State believes his
reelection is a reference point in Nigeria’s history and
has restored confidence in the country’s
democracy.
“What you, my dear people of Edo State, achieved on September 19
is the restoration of confidence in democracy and its
institutions,” Obaseki said on Thursday during his inauguration for
a second term in Benin City, Edo State.
“We have become a point of reference on how the will of the
people can triumph in a democracy that functions properly.
“My reelection represents new hope. I see myself as a vessel in
the redefinition of democracy in Nigeria and I am not unaware of
the enormous responsibility this places on me.”
Time To Heal
For Obaseki, the task of making Edo State great again is an
odious one. This, he noted, requires the contribution of every
resident of the South-South state.
Obaseki and his major rival in the governorship election, Pastor
Osagie Ize-Iyamu, embrace each other at the palace of the Oba of
Benin in Edo State on September 2, 2020.
“It is time to heal. We are kith and kin with a common destiny.
Let’s stop dwelling in the past,” Obaseki noted while extending a
hand of fellowship to his opponents in the September 19th Edo
Governorship election.
“It time to take our common destiny in our hands and commence
the odious task of making Edo great again.”
READ ALSO: Godwin Obaseki Re-Elected As Edo
State Governor
While thanking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Edo
residents for their support which ensured his reelection, Obaseki
promised to improve on his performance and deliver democratic
dividends to the people.
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He promised to revamp the economy, tackle unemployment via the
agriculture sector, and deliver quality healthcare to the people
among others.
“I am encouraged by the trust you have bestowed on us and
grateful for your belief in my leadership and my capacity to
continue piloting the affairs of this great state,” the 63-year-old
who defeated Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) to win a second term, added.
A Second Term
Obaseki was returned elected by the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling the highest number of
votes in the keenly-contested poll.
“That Godwin Obaseki of PDP having satisfied the requirements of
the law in meeting the 25 per cent in two-third of the local
government areas in the state and having a margin of lead higher
than the cancelled votes is hereby declared the winner and returned
elected,” Professor Rem-Rukeh, INEC Returning Officer for the poll
and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Petroleum Resources,
stated.
READ ALSO: TMG Rates Edo Election As
‘Largely Free And Fair’, Flags Incident Of Vote Buying
The governor secured 307,955 of the total votes, 84,336 more
votes than his closest rival Ize-Iyamu, who got 223, 619 votes.
Fourteen political parties fielded candidates to jostle for the
office of the governor in the state.