Victor EzejaImmediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) on winning the governorship elections in Imo and Kogi States held on Saturday.
Buhari also applauded the people of the two states for reaffirming their confidence in the nation’s biggest political party.
Off-cycle governorship elections were held in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States on Saturday, November 11.
In Imo, Governor Hope Uzodinma of the APC was re-elected for another term of four years. Also, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo was declared winner of the election in Kogi State. Collation is still ongoing in Bayelsa.
According to a statement by his former media aide, Garba Shehu, the former president thanked particularly the party leaders and the workers who laboured tirelessly to ensure the reemergence of Uzodinma for his second term in Imo and Usman Ododo as the new governor of Kogi state. “My best wishes to them for their next tenure,” Buhari was quoted saying.
Also, the national chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, have congratulated Uzodinma and Ododo for their victory in last Saturday’s governorship election in the states.
According to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Uzodinma polled 540, 308 votes to defeat the first runner-up, Peoples Democratic Party’s Samuel Anyanwu who raked in 71,503 votes and 16 other candidates in the election.
READ ALSO: INEC Declares APC’s Ododo Winner Of Kogi Governorship Election
Ododo on his in Kogi scored 446,237 votes, defeating his closest rival, Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who polled 259,052, while Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 46,362 votes.
In a statement released on Sunday evening by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje stated that the electoral victories of Ododo and Uzodimma confirmed that Nigerians feel comfortable with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former Kano State governor said: “What gladdens me about the victory of the APC in both Kogi and Imo states is that Nigerians are appreciative of good governance and they want continuity in peace and sustainable growth in their states,” Ganduje said.
“As a progressive party, we will always live up to our promises to deliver good governance. The people of Imo and Kogi states can be rest assured that Uzodimma would sustain his developmental strides in the state while Ododo would consolidate the enviable legacies of Governor Yahaya Bello.”
In his congratulatory message, Akpabio praised Uzodimma for his tenacity and dedication to true democratic standards, adding that victory at the polls is an affirmation by the Imo people of the governor’s leadership strides.
“I congratulate and rejoice with you and the people of Imo on your well-deserved re-election as the Executive Governor of Imo. Your victory is testimony of your excellent performance in office in the last four years,” Akpabio said.
“This victory is an affirmation by Ndi Imo of your sterling leadership qualities and confirmation of your outstanding performance and delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people.
“It is also an indication that our great party, the APC is firmly established in the South-east and accepted by the good people of the region.”
The Senate President further commended INEC for standing its ground despite blackmail to do otherwise.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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