The Rivers State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Richard Victor, has congratulated Osun State Governor and Accord Party governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the August 15 governorship election.
Victor described Adeleke’s victory, announced after the collation of results in the early hours of Sunday, August 16, as a significant affirmation that good leadership would ultimately prevail over intimidation and political thuggery.
In a statement issued following the declaration, Victor said the outcome of the election represented an important moment for Nigeria’s democracy, which he described as fragile and in need of constant protection.
He congratulated the people of Osun State for defending their votes and, according to him, rising above what he described as undue external interference in the electoral process.
Victor said the outcome of the election should serve as a strong signal to the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu that Nigerians were increasingly demanding governance that placed their welfare and wellbeing at the centre of public policy.
He argued that the Osun election had demonstrated the power of the electorate to determine its political leadership when citizens remained committed to protecting their votes.
The PDP governorship candidate therefore urged the people of Rivers State to draw lessons from the Osun experience by ensuring that their votes in future elections were cast for candidates capable of providing people-oriented governance.
Victor said Rivers voters should remain steadfast in exercising their democratic rights, even in the face of what he described as attempts by political actors to intimidate or undermine the electoral process.
His comments come against the backdrop of allegations made during the Osun election by Governor Adeleke that some police officers from Port Harcourt had been deployed to the state to influence the electoral process.
While reacting to the development, Victor said the Osun experience should strengthen the resolve of Rivers people to defend their votes and make their democratic choices freely.
He maintained that the ultimate strength of democracy remained the people’s ability to elect leaders of their choice, regardless of political pressure, intimidation or attempts at external interference.
Victor further congratulated Governor Adeleke and the people of Osun State, expressing hope that the outcome would contribute to the strengthening of democratic institutions and the promotion of responsive governance in Nigeria.
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