PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Monday affirmed the electoral victory of the incumbent Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, stating he ran a good race in the November 16 governorship poll and won it well.
In his congratulatory message on his Twitter handle to Governor Bello, who was adjudged winner of the “controversial” elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, he described the victory as “well-won”.
The President described the election and emergence of the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate as “a race well run and a victory well won,” he said.
In a statement delivered through Femi Adesina, media aide to the President, he also commiserated with families who lost their loved ones during the election.
“Let me enjoin Governor Bello to imbibe the spirit of magnanimity in victory by extending a hand of partnership to opposition candidates while urging those dissatisfied with the outcome of the election to approach the courts,” the statement reads.
Congratulations to Governor Yahaya Bello on his re-election. It was a race well run and a victory well won. I urge him to see his renewed mandate as another opportunity to build on the foundations already laid towards improving the lives of the people of Kogi State.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) November 18, 2019
“I commend all APC, supporters for remaining steadfast and resolute even in the face of isolated incidents of violence. All political actors and stakeholders must take deliberate steps to eschew electoral violence as a peaceful and orderly process are vital to our quest for enduring democracy”, President Buhari stated.
Buhari urged Governor Bello to see his renewed mandate as another chance to build on the foundations he had laid in his first term towards improving the lives of the people of Kogi State.
Bello of the APC had polled a total of 393,540 votes to defeat Musa Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who scored 189,704 votes.
Natasha Akpoti of the Social Democratic Party was third with a total of 9,482 votes.
International observers have expressed dissatisfaction with the Kogi elections over the conduct which was marred with widespread incidents of violence and intimidation of voters.
Amongst the observers are the European Union, EU, The Diplomatic Watch made up of observers from Austria, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States who also voiced their concerns.
Amos Abba is a journalist with the International Center for Investigative Reporting, ICIR, who believes that courageous investigative reporting is the key to social justice and accountability in the society.