Diri, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, on Wednesday, said the ruling of the country’s apex court on the Osun governorship election was an affirmation that power in a democracy resided with the people.
He expressed joy that the highest court in the land sealed the mandate freely given to the governor by the Osun people.
Diri also said the verdict reflected the current mood of the country where those whose stock-in-trade was to promote electoral violence and subvert the will of the people has no place in our electoral system.
He expressed hope that introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System would instill more confidence in the electoral process.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to deepen Nigeria’s democracy by also introducing electronic voting and transmission of polling results.
Diri urged the Osun governor to be magnanimous in victory and work towards enthroning a culture of tolerance and promotion of peace in order to unite the Osun people.
He said having interacted closely with Adeleke, he was confident that he would meet the expectations of people of the state in delivering of the dividends of democracy.
Diri said, “I congratulate my brother-governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on the affirmation of his victory by the Supreme Court.
“The verdict of the apex court is an affirmation that power in a democracy resides with the people.
“I therefore urge him to be magnanimous in victory and work towards ensuring peace and unity among people of the state regardless of their political party.
“I also call on INEC to deepen the democratic and electoral process by going beyond BVAS to equally introduce electronic voting and electronic transmission of votes. This way, those whose stock-in-trade is electoral violence and manipulation of the ballot will be rendered ineffective in our electoral process.
“I have no doubt that Senator Adeleke will meet the expectations of the Osun people in delivering the dividends of democracy to them.”
