Congratulations on your victory at the polls. The election had been politically fought and won, without a drop of blood. Praise be God in Heaven.

Please, do not allow the euphoria of your success at the polls, the celebration to last for too long. There is plenty of work to do. This is indeed time to begin to assiduously work to win more convert out of the 233,619 who cast their votes for the APC and indeed ensure that the number of voters (of 307,955) who voted for PDP do not diminish. This is certainly a no small task. In fact, it is not a time for political vendetta. Particularly for you, Your Excellency Godwin Obaseki, this is time more than ever before for a deep reflection and your relationship with people around you.

Again, this is time for you and your spouse to go on your kneels in appreciation to God, for surviving the personal attacks and unscrupulous remarks. However, l sincerely encourage you to think less of those unguarded remarks made against you and your spouse. Consider it in the realm of politics.

You are now the father of the State, father of those who did not even vote for you and your party. You must be magnanimous in victory. Extend your hands of fellowship to your brother, Pastor Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). See to it that those wards/LGs that did not cast their votes for you and your party benefit from your oncoming administration. Ensure that your administration provide them the necessary facilities such as water, provision of transformers, good motorable roads, healthcare, an enabling environment for commerce to take place, etc.

Give civil servants priority attention, especially senior citizens who are pensioners, who now look up to you. Treat their cases/welfare expeditiously.

As you begin your second tenure in office, ensure your name appears on the good side of history. Let history be kind to you and God will reward you appropriately.

One of the hallmarks of a good leader is that they speak out and do what they know. But when they listen, they not only know more, they do more. Leaders do extraordinary things.

Seat back and reflect on the journey to your present Olympian height. Against all odds, l encourage you, on a personal ground, reconcile with Adams Oshiomole, your predecessor in office. This may sound or appear difficult to do. It is a possibility if you genuinely wish to do so. Be inspired by the friendly disposition that exist between President Muhammadu Buhari and Dr Goodluck Jonathan. Be guided by the philosophy of Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo, who once said "in politics, there are no permanent enemies but permanent foes." When you do so, you will be writing your name on the finest pages of history and of course, history shall be kind to you.

And to your deputy, Philip Shaiubu. The two of you should lock yourselves up in a room. The two of you need a "heart-to-heart" conversation on how to genuinely move Edo State forward in the best interest of everyone, irrespective of political affiliation. Please, encourage him to be less grandstanding and more matured in his approach to governance. Campaigns are over. Less of political grandstanding and talks. Serious business of governance must begin now. Let the good people of Edo State feel the impact of your administration.

Finally, this Edo Election is transparent enough. APC should not, in anyway, contemplate going to the electoral tribunal. A defeat with a wide margin of 84,336 difference is a clear signal that the good people of Edo State have spoken loud and clear. They know who they want to govern them in the next four years. They were unambiguous in that resolve and it should be respected by all. It simply confirms that Edo State is indeef politically sophiscated. APC should not lament for too long but an opportunity for them to return, quickly to the drawing board to start restrategising against future elections. In every contest, a winner must emerge and PDP has emerged on this occasion. APC should therefore be gallant in defeat.

•Bernard Balogun (BenPino) writes from Wuse District of Abuja, 0803 787 9275.

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