President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, on his victory in the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo the winner on Sunday after a competitive race.

In a press release from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Tinubu commended the efforts of APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors, stating, “This victory testified to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme, and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.”

The President urged Senator Okpebholo to approach his victory with humility, saying, “I encourage him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development.”

He also acknowledged the contributions of other candidates in promoting democracy, noting that peaceful contests like this one reflect a stable Nigeria.

Tinubu called on any dissatisfied parties to seek legal recourse, emphasizing the importance of orderly conduct during elections. He praised the citizens of Edo State for their behavior at the polls, stating, “This underscores the maturing of Nigeria’s democracy after 25 years.”

He further commended INEC and security agencies for their roles in ensuring a successful, peaceful, and largely hitch-free election, asserting, “INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organizing a free and fair election in our country.”