Newly reelected Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has expressed willingness to work with members of the opposition political parties that participated in Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly election, in order to further develop the state.

Engineer Sule made this known while being presented with copies of the final results for the governorship election issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), at the Government House, on Monday.

According to the Governor, if indeed they are interested in developing the state, opposition parties should come and partner with his administration because Nasarawa State is big enough to accommodate more ideas in order to develop.

Engineer Sule said it’s unnecessary for the opposition to endanger the lives of youths of the state in the name of protesting over an election that was concluded with a winner already declared.

“Let me once more call on all those who contested against the APC either at the governorship level or House of Assembly level, to understand that they had the right to contest as they did but at the end of the day, God will chose leaders. And God has already chosen.

“I call on them to come and partner with us if indeed what they are interested in is the development of the state. We are more than happy and willing, to buy in some more ideas for the development of the state.

“The state is big enough to accommodate more ideas, the state needs more development and it’s unnecessary to put the lives of young children and our youths on line by protesting against a concluded election.

“I do know there are other people in the state who have never lost election. Instead every time they don’t make it, it’s because they are rigged. I call on such people to understand that even by our various religions that we believe, when the time is right, God will give it to you. If you are not given, that time is not right for the Almighty,” he stated.

He explained that, Nasarawa State has no business being poor, especially that the state is blessed with numerous minerals, so many opportunities, including the oil potentials, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited set to drill the first oil well on the 28th of March.

Engineer Sule therefore, called on the opposition political parties to join him and to partner with his administration, for the development of the state.

He used the opportunity of the event to commend the INEC, security agencies as well as various partners that worked to ensure the elections held peacefully.

The Governor equally extolled the leadership qualities of the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, particularly for demonstrating tolerance, leadership and sincerity.

He also condemned the call for the APC national chairman to resign, describing the call as not only unnecessary especially that the party is just recording series of successes, including delivering the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who is now the president-elect.

“I want to also appreciate our chairman and co-chairman and DG of the campaign council and all the members of the campaign council, as well as the numerous stakeholders, members of the APC and indeed, the good people of Nasarawa State for making this day possible.

“There so many people too numerous to mention that have demonstrated their time, resources, sincerity, with their vote, for us to get to where we are today and remain grateful to everyone of you and we will not let you down by the grace of God.

“Again, I want to show my appreciation to our agents and all the other election officials who stood by us, who did not agree to be bought over and who a stronghold for us to have the successes in this election. I want to thank our local government chairmen and all our political office holders, for the roles you have played in order for us to get to where we are.

“Again, we remain grateful to you, we remain a team and we must continue to build this team together.

“I want to appreciate our elders, our royal fathers, our women, our youth for all the wonderful job you have done. I will not forget to show appreciation to my own family, Hajiya Silifatu Sule, Hajiya Farida Sule, my own children and all those who work around us in order to support this journey,” Engineer Sule stated.

In a goodwill message, first civilian governor of the state and APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, described the governorship election as a big pointer and the will of God.

“I have seen the elections in Nasarawa State since inception to date. I have not seen an election that has been so mind-boggling, heart provoking like this one. God Himself have spoken. Those who has listening ears to the will of God, may the will of God continue to be with them,” he said.

Senator Adamu called on the people, at this critical moment, to stand up and support the Governor through the four years of his second term in office.

Earlier presenting Engineer Sule with copies of the certified collated results of the governorship election, state Chairman of the APC, Chief John Mamman, appreciated the citizens of the state for their understanding and support, particularly for agreeing to conduct the elections peacefully.

Chief Mamman, who was accompanied by the state Secretary of the party, Hon. Aliyu Bello, who doubles as the agent of the APC for the guber election, appealed to other political parties to see the need keep the unity of the state intact.

INEC officially declared Engineer Sule as dully reelected for another term in office, having scored 347, 209 votes to beat Hon David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 283, 016 votes.