The Presidency has endorsed the outcome of last Saturday’s re-run elections in which three different political parties emerged winners, saying the development clearly demonstrates President Muhammadu Buhari’s profound commitment to credible, free and fair elections in the country.
Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media & Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, who spoke on the polls’ outcome, said the President believes in the ability of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise hitch-free and fair elections at all times.
According to Mallam Garba, ‘‘the President is inherently committed to the independence of the electoral commission in his belief that the will of the people shall be the basis of authority of government which is expressed through periodic, free and fair elections. He will do nothing to impede INEC.”
The Presidential media aide, while congratulating winners of the elections in Anambra Central senatorial district; Ardo Kola state constituency in Taraba; and Gwagwalada central constituency in the FCT, on behalf of President, said the present All Progressive Congress (APC) led administration, will ensure Nigeria continues to witness more free, fair and credible elections.
Garba said President Buhari is determined to strengthen democratic institutions in the country by ensuring that all relevant institutions in the electoral system maintain a high-level of professionalism and independence throughout the electoral process.
The statement was full of praise for INEC, security agencies, civil societies, the media and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring the success of the polls.
Mallam Garba however urged individuals and parties not satisfied with the elections’ outcome to heed the President’s counsel by seeking redress constitutionally.
The three political parties that garnered electoral victories at the weekend’s court-ordered re-run elections are All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and All Progressive Congress (APC).
In Anambra State, Chief Victor Umeh of APGA won the Anambra Central Senatorial re-run election while Mr Dominic Bakuni of PDP narrowly won the Taraba State House of Assembly bye-election in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area. Also on the winning train on Saturday was Abdulkarim Mohammed of APC that picked the Gwagwalada Central Ward councillorship seat in a by-election.
