President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday, says his commitment to free and fair elections is firm following the election process in Edo State which led to the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The President, in a statement by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, congratulated Obaseki who was declared winner of the election and urged him to show grace and humility in victory.
In his reaction to the outcome of the election as announced by INEC, President Buhari said: “My commitment to free and fair elections is firm, because without free and fair elections, the foundation of our political and moral authority will be weak.”
The President added: “I have consistently advocated for free and fair elections in the country because it is the bedrock of true democratic order.
“Democracy will mean nothing if the votes of the people don’t count or if their mandate is fraudulently tampered with”, the statement added.
He commended the people of Edo State, the parties, candidates and security agencies for conducting themselves responsibly.
BIGPEN had reported that Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to defeat his main challenger, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu of All Progressives Congress (APC), who got 223,619 votes.
