Immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, has congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his deputy, Mr. Philip Shuaibu, on their success at the just-concluded governorship election.
In a statement issued, on Sunday, the former governor, while commending President Muhammad Buhari for ensuring that security agents did not scuttle the electoral process, however urged leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State and other parts of the country not to rely on the military “to kill their own people” to secure electoral victory.
The statement read “I congratulate my brother and friend Godwin Obaseki and his deputy Philip Shuaibu on their re-election as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State.
“I congratulate the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party Prince Uche Secondus, all members of the National Working Committee and other National Leaders of the party whose leadership guided the party to victory. I also congratulate the Chairman of The Edo PDP Campaign Council, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and all members of the campaign team.
“I congratulate all the Governors of the South South for working together, this has furthered strengthened the political unity of our region.
“I congratulate the members and leaders of the Edo State PDP for putting aside their differences and working together to secure this victory. Finally, I congratulate the people of Edo State who came out to vote and had sleepless nights in order to protect their votes.
“I commend His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring that security operatives did not scuttle the electoral process thereby ensuring a free, fair and election which represents the true will of the people. I hope that this ushers a new era of peaceful and credible elections in Nigeria.
“APC leaders in Bayelsa State and other parts of the country should draw a lesson from the conduct of the APC Leaders in Edo who did not rely on security and militia to kill their own people in order to scuttle the electoral process against the will of the people.
“The Edo election is an indication that free and fair elections is the beauty of democracy and is a victory for our country.
“I call on Governor Godwin Obaseki to pay back Edo people the trust mandated to him via the ballot by delivering on his campaign promises and uniting the state across party lines.”