Obaseki stated this during a speech on Tuesday after the Independent National Electoral Commission issued him and his deputy , Phillip Shaibu , certificates of return.

INEC ’s National Commissioner in charge of Edo , Rivers, and Bayelsa States , Mrs May Agbmuche -Mbu , made the presentation at the INEC office in Aduwawa, Benin City , the Edo State capital .

It will interest you that INEC declared Obaseki, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, as the winner of the keenly contested election .

INEC ’ s Returning Officer , Prof. Akpofure Rim - Rukeh, said Obaseki polled 307 ,955 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ize - Iyamu, who got 223, 619 votes.

Delivering a speech on Tuesday at INEC’ s office, Obaseki said , “ To our friends and our brothers on the other side of the divide, we are one family in the pursuit to provide services and public good for our citizens.

“ Our citizens have decided that as for now, they trust us more to provide them leadership. It does not mean that they do not have a role to play. It does not mean that they are not part of a family.

“ I ’m using this opportunity to extend the hand of fellowship to my brother, Pastor Osagie Ize - Iyamu, and his other colleagues in the All Progressives Congress to join us and work with us so that we can move Edo forward

“ On a specific note, I want to use this occasion to call on the former chairman of the APC , Comrade Adams Oshiomhole , that the fight is over and he should come and join in building the house where he was part of laying the foundation .

“ We have no malice , the only thing we disagreed on is in the approach in moving Edo forward .”

It will be noted that prior to the election it was a fierce battle of words from the trio but later the winner has emeerged.