A former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has advised the re-elected Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to be magnanimous in victory and stretch a hand of fellowship to the other candidates who failed in their bids for the governorship office.
Obasanjo said this in a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi, in Abeokuta on Monday.
Recall that Obaseki defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and 12 others in the September 19 governorship election, and was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The former president noted that Obaseki’s victory reflected the choice of Nigerians who have, by their conduct, visibly demonstrated that they value the country’s present democracy and would do their utmost to make it work.
He urged the governor to reciprocate the electorate’s trust by doing everything he could to strengthen their faith in democracy and in its ability to bring about improved material conditions and better service delivery.
He told Obaseki to support him and other well-meaning Nigerians in their quest for national peace, stability and economic development, adding that he believed that the governor would play an active and visible role in the pursuit of these noble and desirable objectives.
He further advised him to carry everyone along in the state, as he is not Governor of only those who voted for him in Edo State.
His words, “You have fought and won the elections and deserve to savour the victory despite all the odds and challenges posed by opposition. As you rejoice, however, I would urge that you should be magnanimous in victory and stretch a hand of fellowship to the other candidates who failed in their bids for the elected office.
“Such a gesture is not only charitable but should also help at this time to cool passions in the wider interest of the nation and your State. You are now, as before, Governor of Edo State and not Governor of only those who voted for you in Edo State.”
