National chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, yesterday led some governors who are members of the party to the presidential villa in Abuja where they presented the Edo State governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo winner of last Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.
The commission also issued him a certificate of return in Abuja yesterday.
APC governors who accompanied Ganduje to the villa were Imo State governor and chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Usman Ododo (Kogi) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun).
Also in the entourage were senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, and the deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu.
Addressing State House reporters after meeting with the president, Okpehbolo called on the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, and the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, Asue Ighodalo, to accept defeat and congratulate him.
The governor-elect said he was willing to work with opposition parties in the state for the growth and development of the state.
He said, “I am coming as a servant to serve Edo people, which is what is required of me, and that is exactly what I am going to do. So with time you will recognise that a new administration is here.
“If they have an idea that is beautiful and acceptable by the people why not, my door is open to everybody. So very soon you will see a lot of development coming up in Edo.
“We are going to employ teachers; we are going to renovate our school very soon a lot will be happening.”
He said, “If we had lost, I would have borne it. And by now, I would have even congratulated the winner, so I am expecting them to congratulate me.”
“A former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, said God has brought Okpebholo to rescue the people of Edo State.
“Monday Okpebholo’s job is well cut out for him. Edo people cannot wait to see a new approach to governance; government of the people, by the people and for Edo people.”