Tinubu advised Ikpebholo to rather see his victory in the election as a challenging call to service to the nation.
The President through a statement by Bayo Onanuga, his media aide, congratulated Senator Okpebholo after he was declared winner as Edo governor-elect under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Sunday.
He commended the APC national and state leaders, alongside the party governors for working hard to achieve the victory.
He said the victory testified to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic re-engineering programme and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.
He encouraged the governor-elect to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development.
President Tinubu also praised other candidates who participated in the election for their contributions to advancing Nigeria’s democracy, saying peaceful political contests, such as the one on Saturday, portray Nigeria as a stable democratic country.
The President urged all those aggrieved by the election outcome to seek redress through the legal channels.
According to Onanuga, the President commended the people of Edo State for their orderly and peaceful conduct during the election, underscoring the maturing of Nigeria’s democracy after 25 years.
“I commend the INEC and our security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful and largely hitch-free exercise.
“INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organising a free and fair election in our country,” the President said.
