Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Prof. Rufai Alkali, said on Monday that President Goodluck Jonathan has entrenched a culture of credible polls in the country.
Alkali, who made this known in his congratulatory message to the governor-elect of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, said the president has again proven that he is a leader that can be trusted by ensuring that every measure is taken to ensure every vote counts and the people are allowed to elect their leaders without hindrance.
“Prior to the Ekiti election, President Goodluck Jonathan assured Nigerians that the election in Ekiti State will be free, fair and credible and from the reports in the media and interim report of Independent Election Observers, this is exactly what happened on Saturday”, he said.
The presidential aide also commended the All Progressives Congress, APC, for what he described as learning from the PDP and President Jonathan by not only conceding defeat but also for congratulating the eventual winner of the election.
“It is on record that when PDP governorship elections were conducted in Edo, Ondo, and Anambra states and PDP candidates lost Mr. President and PDP were the first to congratulate the winners of the election and this is a culture every political party must imbibe”.
The political adviser commended the people of Ekiti state, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Election Observers, the Media and the security agencies for their contributions and sacrifices towards the peaceful conduct of the polls.
He advised the governor-elect to abide by the admonitions of President Jonathan “to be humble and magnanimous in victory and commit himself to forming an administration that will work for the advancement of the interests of all Ekiti people irrespective of their political affiliations or loyalties”.
Mr. Alkali said that since the creation of Ekiti State, this is the most peaceful and orderly election conducted in the state and commended traditional rulers, community and religious leaders in the state for their laudable contributions to the conduct of the polls.
“President Goodluck did it in Edo, Ondo, Anambra States and now Ekiti state. While our attention now move to Osun State, Nigerians can rest be assured that the election in that State will be a reflection of what happened in the governorship elections in these states”.
He called on the people of Ekiti state to continue to sustain the peace recorded in the state during the conduct of the election and give maximum support to the newly elected governor to ensure that he takes Ekiti State to greater heights.