Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday spoke on his defeat during the election for the senatorial seat of Kwara Central Senatorial District on Saturday.
Saraki who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lost to the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Ibrahim Oloriegbe.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki while accepting defeat and congratulating the winner said the election was fraught with irregularities.
According to him, the “generally peaceful” election had problems of inadequate card readers, multiple voting, over-voting and other discrepancies as reported by agents of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) across the state.
He added that the state chapter of his party would take a position on the right response to the inadequacies.
He stressed that “whatever the final outcome of the election, I wish the candidates that have emerged all the best in their attempts to serve our people. It is my prayers that the good people of Kwara State will always have the best from any government both at state and federal levels.”
He said as a product of a family and a political structure that was, from its foundation, devoted to the service and development of Kwara State and its people, it was his wish that the people would always have a good deal at all times.
He said the new development would provide the people the opportunity to compare and contrast.
He said the people who had emerged from last Saturday’s election were not his enemies but “fellow Kwarans.”
Saraki added, however: “As we prepare for the March 9, 2019 Governorship and House of Assembly elections, let me reiterate my position that the candidates of the PDP in the election represent the best materials for our dear State, Kwara. Therefore, I enjoin our people to come out en masse on Election Day and vote for them. I am going to work with our party leaders to further sell the PDP candidates to the general public.
“I thank all Nigerians for their goodwill and to enjoin all of us that as we patiently await the outcome of the Presidential election, we pray for peace, unity and genuine development in our country. It is also our prayers that at all times, the wish of the people will always prevail in the choice of the leadership and the electorate will always enjoy the benefit of good governance.”
