‘Voters spoke loudly’ — Buhari congratulates Aiyedatiwa on election victory

Muhammadu Buhari, former president of Nigeria, has congratulated Lucky Aiyedatiwa on his victory at the polls. 

Aiyedatiwa, incumbent governor of Ondo, won in all 18 LGAs of the state to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement on Monday by Garba Shehu, his spokesperson, Buhari said the outcome of the election showed that democracy remains strong in Nigeria.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies “for the efforts they put into reducing observed shortcomings in previous elections”.

“In his reaction to the outcome of the election, the former President said the voters had spoken lucidly and loudly about the confidence they have in the party and the governor, and their wish, expressed through the ballot box, should be respected by other stakeholders,” he said.

“The former President said while the election outcome has shown that democracy remains strong and cannot be easily overturned in a country as large and diverse as Nigeria, it is equally a challenge to the Governor-elect to put in place policies that engender economic growth, tame high unemployment and inflation, and advance the pursuit of welfare programs to make life better for the people.

“President Buhari commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and law enforcement agencies for the efforts they put into reducing observed shortcomings in previous elections.

“He wishes governor Aiyedatiwa and his team a successful tenure in office.”