Anambra election shows electoral reforms paying off, says Buhari

• Group charges Nigerians to stop selling votes
• More people hail Obiano’s victory

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the outcome of last Saturday’s election in Anambra State as a manifestation of the electoral reform, which has begun to bear fruits in the country.The president yesterday also commended the people of Anambra State, the governorship candidates, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election observers as well as security agencies and other stakeholders, on the peaceful conduct of the November 18 gubernatorial election.

According to the President, “the processes leading to the election and its peaceful conduct and outcome, have shown that our electoral reform is bearing positive fruits.“This is very encouraging and I am determined to give Nigeria free and fair elections, no matter which way the results swing.”

He particularly expressed delight at the conduct of the candidates on the post-election results, describing it as “heart-warming and a renewal of confidence in the sanctity of the ballot which deepens our nation’s democracy.”  Buhari in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, yesterday urged INEC to improve on areas of logistics as the nation braces for coming governorship elections and the main general elections in 2019.

The President while congratulating Governor Willie Obiano on his re-election, urged him to rededicate himself to building on his achievements that endeared him to the electorate and swayed the overwhelming majority of votes in his favour. He assured him that the Federal Government is ready to work with him for the greater harmony, peace and development of not only Anambra State but also the entire country.

He also wished him a successful new term in office. More reactions have continued to trail the outcome as a group, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) yesterday charged Nigerians to shun the temptation of selling their votes to politicians and commended INEC, the security agencies and observer groups for the successful conduct of the polls.

A statement by Executive Director of CHRICED, Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, also commended the efforts of security agencies, whose proactive steps to prevent threats to electoral security, made the space safe for voters to exercise their right to democratically elect their governor. It added that going into the 2019 electoral process, the positives from the Anambra governorship election would boost confidence in Nigeria’s ability to deliver free, fair, and credible elections.

The Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzori Kalu, said Obiano won the governorship election clean, free and fair and that the APC is not likely to challenge his victory in court.Kalu congratulated Obiano on his landslide victory and predicted that he will soon join the APC.

Muslims in the state have also congratulated Governor Willie Obiano and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, on their landslide victory in Saturday’s governorship election.

In a statement in Awka, the Secretary- General of the Anambra State Muslim Council, Alhaji Sanni Ejoh, attributed the victory to good governance and grass roots outreach, among others.

Similarly, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) commended the people of the state for conducting themselves peacefully and in an orderly manner despite the number of political parties that fielded candidates during the polls.

In a statement issued by the Secretary General of the Conference, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the umbrella body of all political parties and political associations in the country, CNPP urged INEC to sustain the “level playing field it ensured in Anambra State up to 2019 and beyond.’’
On her part, candidate of the Advanced Congress for Democrats (ACD), Mrs. Oby Okafor, also congratulated Obiano.