President Bola Tinubu congratulated Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, and Kogi State Governor-elect Usman Ododo on their victories in the November 11 governorship elections.
This came as he warned the winners to put governance ahead of partisan politics.
The President also praised the electorates of Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa for their engagement in the election process in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The statement read, ‘President Tinubu congratulates Governors Hope Uzodimma, Douye Diri, and Governor-Elect Usman Ododo on election success.’
According to Platinum Times, Uzodimma received 540,308 votes, defeating Peoples Democratic Party candidate Samuel Anyanwu, who received 71,503 votes, and Labour Party candidate Athan Achonu, who received 64,081 votes.
Ododo received 446,237 votes in the Kogi governorship election, defeating Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party, who received 259,052 votes, and Dino Melaye of the PDP, who received 46,362 votes.
In Bayelsa State, incumbent Governor Diri received 175,196 votes to defeat his nearest rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress, who received 110,108 votes, and Udengs Eradiri of the Labour Party, who received 905 votes.
To the recipients of the awards, Tinubu stated, “May your tenure in office be defined by close collaboration with all of your counterparts across party lines in the attainment of pan-Nigerian developmental achievements that benefit everyone, and may you lead at all times with compassion and a deepened commitment to our nation’s unity.”
He reaffirmed democratic institutions’ resilience and the power of the people in molding the nation’s political environment.
He further reasoned that the election results reflect the aspirations of the people, claiming that democracy thrives when voters reward competence, transparency, and good government.
The Nigerian leader also thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission for its efforts to level the playing field for all candidates, as well as the nation’s security agencies for ensuring law and order during the highly anticipated elections.
He asked INEC to maintain its commitment to all initiatives aimed at sanitizing the electoral system and increasing the legitimacy of future elections.
President Tinubu “anticipates a renewed sense of hope for the people of Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa States, as well as consolidation on progress that will position the states as hubs of peace, commerce, entrepreneurship, and prosperity in Nigeria,” Ngelale added.
In the spirit of cultivating a harmonious, inclusive political landscape in the three states, he charged the winners with prioritizing the common benefit of the people before partisan considerations.