A few days after the defeat of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the just-concluded Edo State election, the former National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomole has said he is not down, contrary to what Nigerians might be thinking.

Oshiomole on Wednesday, September 23, in a video recorded in a gym after he had worked out, said life is not all about winning.

The former APC National Chairman had been in political battle with Governor Obaseki which led to the governor decamping to PDP where he contested and won the September poll.

Many believed that the defeat on the APC in the election would bring down Oshiomole emotionally as he is known to be the 'God father' for Ize-Iyamu , the party's candidate.

Speaking on the defeat of the APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu by the PDP ruling candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki, the comrade said life runs on a system of losing or winning.

Read Also: EDO 2020: APC ALLEGES FOUL PLAY IN ELECTION PROCESS, OBASEKI JUBILATES

Oshiomhole thanked the people of the State for coming out in mass to cast their votes for their favourites.

Oshiomhole said: “You work hard and leave God for the outcome. You do your best and trust God to bless your effort. 

“I feel good, thank God. I feel healthy, thank God. I feel strong. Thank God. In life, you win some, you lose some, but life goes on. 

“I want to thank everybody. I am sure a lot of people will be thinking now Oh, Comrade will be down now. But, no I am not down. When God says you are not down, you are not down and I am not down. 

“I thank Edo people for all they did over the past weeks, under the rain, under the sun. Young ladies carried babies on their back; I saw elderly women struggling to see my small face. 

“And on Election Day, I was moved to tears when I saw women of 70, 75 sitting down because the card reader is not working, and they are not frustrated. 

Read Also: EDO 2020: GOVERNOR GODWIN OBASEKI WINS EDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

“It inspired me that if at their age you don’t give up, why should I give up? I ask our people to have faith in our country. 

“I have only one passport. I am not about to apply for another. This is our country, we must make it great. 

“We must strengthen democracy; we must improve on it no matter the outcome of an election or a particular edition of a process. Have faith in God and have faith in our country, God bless you all.” 

Obaseki defeated his main rival, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of APC who had the backing of Oshiomole in the September 18 polls

Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to deafeat Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who had 223,619 votes.

Many political pundits believe that Obaseki's victory is a statement by the Edo people saying no to godfatherism in politics.

After the Saturday election, the United States Government congratulated the people of Edo State on a credible and peaceful governorship election.

It also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigerian security agencies on the positive role they played in conducting the governorship poll.

Read Also: US IMPOSES VISA BAN ON NIGERIANS WHO TRIED TO RIG ELECTIONS

The US however expressed concerns over reports of some violence that emerged during the election, including vote-buying and intimidation of both voters and civil soviet domestic observers.

It also urged all stakeholders, including the INEC, political parties, and the security services to improve the electoral process in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election slated for October 10, 2020. 

The US added that as a democratic partner of Nigeria, it remains committed to working together to achieving mutual goals of peace and prosperity for the citizens of both countries.

Prior to the Edo election, Eons Intelligence reported that the US Government had imposed visa restrictions on Nigerians who tried to undermine the country’s democracy by causing violence or rigging elections.

The US said the decision was in the run-up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo States elections respectively.

However, the US State Department did not disclose the identities of the indicted individuals, it said the visa sanctions were targeted at some individuals who were involved in election violence, not the general.