Tinubu: I am Satisfied with Outcome of Off-season Polls

*Tells APC governors to remain servants of the people 

*Receives Kogi, Imo governors-elect 

*Approves appointment of eight new permanent secretaries 

*My re-election validates president’s victory, says Uzodinma

*Bello: I will not interfere in my successor’s govt

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the November 11, 2023 off-season elections held in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States, which he described as free, fair and peaceful.
Speaking while receiving in audience, the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, the re-elected Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, and the Governor-elect of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, at the State House, Abuja, the President also used the occasion to advise governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives’ Congress (APC) to always put the interest of the people first and work for the good of their respective states.
According to Tinubu: “You worked hard for this victory. I am very proud of you, but the real challenge has only started, and it will stare you in the face. That is the challenge of good governance. Make sure that everyone is carried along. You are now the servants of the people.
“To God be all the glory for the victories and may God guide you.

“Once the people of Nigeria and their concerns are the focal point of your plans and actions, not only will governance be easier for you, but you will enhance the value of your states and the masses of the people will have new opportunities to grow and enjoy a new standard of living.
“This must be your driving focus as governors, but especially as governors elected on the platform of our great party.
“Two out of three is not a bad way to start. We will focus not on winning the elections alone, but on delivering for the people. They are sovereign and when we achieve what we promise, voters will respect us. We will work with you at the sub-national levels, and we will uphold the strength and superior excellence that is symbolised by the eagle on our coat of arms.”
In his earlier remarks, the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who led the governors-elect and APC stalwarts to meet with Tinubu, said the party’s candidates conducted themselves with integrity as directed by the President during the elections, and that the party had conceded victory to the opposition in Bayelsa State.
“We lost the election in Bayelsa and we have conceded in good faith. You directed that the elections should be free, fair, and peaceful, and it was so,” Ganduje said.

Uzodinma, who spoke on behalf of the candidates who contested the off-season gubernatorial elections, thanked the President for providing strong and purposeful leadership at the center, which enabled and energised their campaigns.
His words: “We won because of the leadership you demonstrated. The country was struggling, but the economy has been responding to the reforms and rapid-response strategy you have put in place.”
Addressing newsmen after presentation of their certificates of return to Tinubu, the two governors-elect said the presentation of the certificates to the party leader was in recognition of his leadership and  guidance he had demonstrated since he emerged as the President of the country.
On his part, Uzodinma said his victory at the November 11 poll further validated the victory of Tinubu at the nation’s presidential election and the growing popularity of the APC by Nigerians.

He said: “You recall that the election of November 11, our great party, APC,  that is growing in popularity came out successfully in Kogi State and Imo State and you know that the leader of the party is the President and it is our tradition that after we have received our certificate of returns in an off cycle elections like that of Imo, Kogi States we should come to honour him by presenting the certificate to him in recognition of  not only his  leadership, but the guidance he has demonstrated since he emerged as the President of the country.
“Our victory at the polls shows that Nigerians are still very happy with the APC, Nigerians voted en-mass for the President and this victory validated this claim through the voters in Kogi and Imo states.

“So we have come to honour the President and also use the opportunity to thank him for the support and advice, the wisdom he imparted on us and achievements he has recorded since he became the President which most of us leveraged on to be able to convince the voters to vote for us,” Uzodinma added.
Also speaking, Kogi State governor-elect Usman Ododo, who said his mandate was for the people of Kogi State, expressed his readiness to serve the people.  
“Through the campaign processes we have met our stakeholders, the mandate is for the people and so we are coming to serve the people, we must consult with them. We thank President Tinubu for the good he has done for the people,” Ododo added.

Ododo, also stated that the governorship elections in both Imo and Kogi states reflected the growth of the party.
He added: “The election in the two states shows that our party has moved from the old dark days to the new world other. Kogi State and Imo people know what is right for them and they have done what is right for them”.
In his comments, outgoing Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state, assured the party leaders that he would not interfere in the administration of his successor, Ododo when he assumes office.

According to him: “I had GYB administration and nobody dictated to me, the people were satisfied with me. This will be Ododo Ahmed Usman’s administration, whether good or bad he will carry his own cross.”
Bello, implored Kogi citizens to join hands with the incoming government so as to ensure that the citizenry benefit from the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government.
Meanwhile, Tinubu yesterday, approved the appointment of eight new Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service following the recently concluded selection process by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The new Perm Secs, according to a statement issued yesterday, by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, included Ndakayo-Aishetu Gogo, Adeoye Adeleye Ayodeji, Rimi Nura Abba and Bako Deborah Odoh.

Others are Omachi Raymond Omenka, Ahmed Dunoma Umar, Watti Tinuke and Ella Nicholas Agbo.

Tinubu, anticipates that the new Permanent Secretaries, having emerged at the top of qualified candidates after a diligent assessment process, would deploy their expertise and competence in the effective execution of the Renewed Hope mandate to revitalise service delivery in all Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the superseding interest of the Nigerian people.