Governors-elect, others receive certificates of return

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday issued certificates of return to governors-elect and lawmakers-elect. It withheld some certificates based on court orders, report Okodili Ndidi, Owerri; Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado Ekiti; Yinka Adeniran, Oyinlola Lasaki, Ibadan; Chris Oji, Enugu; Kolade Adeyemi,Kano; Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi.

Ihedioha, 27 lawmakers get certificates of return

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday issued a certificate of return to Imo State Governor-elect Emeka  Ihedioha.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Francis Ezeonu, also presented certificates of return to the 27 House of Assembly members-elect.

Ihedioha won the March 9 governorship election under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking shortly after receiving the Certificate of Return at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Oweri,  Ihedioha promised to be fair to all respective of tribe or party affiliation.

He said he would abide by the rule of law in administering the state.

According to him, “I will be Imo governor in the real sense of the word.”

He assured that members of his transition team would comprise of men and women of integrity who would contribute immensely to the development of the state.

INEC withholds four Delta Assembly members-elect certificates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday refused to issue certificates of return to four members- elect of the Delta State House of Assembly over pending court matters.

However, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro, along with twenty four other members-elect were given certificates of return.

National Commissioner in charge of Delta State Dr Mohammed Lecky said the four members-elect were denied certificates following a court action.

He listed the five members-elect to include Anidi Emosivwe, Ethiope East (APC), Oniyere Whomrouho, Ughelli North1 (APC), Egbo Jaro Movudu, Ughelli North 2 (APC) and Ochor Christopher, Ukwuani (PDP).

Deputy Speaker Friday Osanebi representing Ndokwa East Constituency was absent at the presentation ceremony.

Lecky congratulated Okowa and other candidates for their victory at the polls.

Okowa praised Deltans for the matured manner they conducted themselves during and after the elections.

He, however, regretted the death of four persons, adding that three died during the presidential elections while one died during the gubernatorial election.

He said his victory would spur him to do more in the next four years.

His words: “I believe Nigeria can be great if all stakeholders remain committed. All Deltans should be ready to work and shun all negative vices in my determination to take Delta to the next level. The next four years we will do more than we did in these last four years.”

INEC to Ekiti lawmakers-elect: enact laws to bring succour to people

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday advised the lawmakers-designate in Ekiti State to make laws capable of accelerating the living standard of the people.

The electoral commission said the legislature remains a veritable tool in ensuring and engendering socio-economic development of any state.

This, the commission said, will have multiplier effects on the downtrodden masses.

The Acting Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ekiti State, Dr. Muslim Omoleke, spoke in Ado-Ekiti while presenting certificates of return to the 26 legislators designate elected during the March 9 and 23 assembly polls.

The event was attended by Commissioner Asuquo Amba and other security chiefs in the state, APC chieftains, traditional rulers and elder statesmen.

All the 26 lawmakers elect are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing the elected officials, Omoleke said: “Legislature is a critical arm of government, because it makes laws to regulate the business of governance so don’t do anything that will be repugnant to democracy, equity and justice.”

He said the essence of legislature is to strengthen constitutionality and the rule of law, by making laws for good governance, urging them not to derail from this norm

“Don’t enact laws that will be antithetical to the 1999 constitution, because it remains the grand norm. Make sure you make laws that will promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

“We are not also unmindful of the doctrine of separation of powers. But you must cooperate with the executive to make Ekiti greater than it is”, he advised.

Congratulating the elected individuals, Omoleke said the 2019 elections were largely successful due to ICT innovations introduced by INEC national Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

“Prof Yakubu brought series of innovations into the electoral system. He had moved the conduct of elections from analog to digital level and this was novel in the history of our country.

“Part of his innovation was the way accreditation and voting was being done simultaneously.

“He also encouraged and upgraded the use of smart card readers to ensure transparency in our elections”.

He said the peaceful comportment demonstrated by politicians and stakeholders made Ekiti to be rated the best in the conduct of the 2019 elections.

The INEC boss applauded the traditional rulers and security agencies for showing immense interest in the conduct of elections.

The Chairman of the APC in Ekiti, Hon Paul Omotoso, urged the lawmakers elect not to neglect their constituents, who gave them the mandate to serve.

Omotoso, represented by the State Secretary of the party, Hon Sola Elesin said: “Ekiti people are known for honesty, and you must bring this to bear. People expect much from you and you must live up to the expectations of those voters who voted for you”, he said.

17 cases before Oyo Election Petition Tribunal

No fewer than 17 petitions have been confirmed to be before the Oyo State Election Petition Tribunal. The petitions include four senatorial and 13 House of Representatives cases.

The revelation was made yesterday by the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Mutiu Agboke, at the presentation of certificates of return to the governor-elect, deputy governor-elect and lawmakers-elect.

The event which held at the Banquet Hall, Premier Hotel, Ibadan was attended by many party stalwarts, religious leaders, security chiefs, well-wishers, family and friends.

The exercise was supervised by INEC National Commissioner for Oyo, Osun and Ekiti States, Prince Adedeji Soyebi, who also presented the certificate to the governor-elect, Mr Seyi Makinde, and his deputy, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, at about 11: 50 am.

Agboke noted that 42 governorship candidates across 42 political parties participated in the governorship election while 659 candidates across 42 parties contested for the 32 seats in the Assembly.

Of the 32 members elected only two are serving, the rest 30 have a fresh mandate. In all, PDP has 26, APC 5 and ADP one member of the state legislative arm.

Agboke urged the elected officials not to downplay the dreams, feelings and expectations of their constituencies and electorate in general who risked their lives and sacrificed their comfort and shunned intimidation to cast the votes for the eventual winners.

He said: “Let me admonish the elected officials not to downplay the dreams, feelings and expectations of their constituencies and the electorate in general. The voters, in some cases, risked their lives, sacrificed their comfort, shunned intimidation and harassment to cast their ballot for you.

“You cannot afford to disappoint them. Always have it at the back of your minds that 2023 is around the corner. Elections are designed to renew or withdraw mandate.

“Presently, arising from the general elections in this state, we have a total of 17 petitions before the Oyo State Election Petition Tribunal.  The breakdown is four Senatorial and 13 House of Representatives petitions.

“Filing and hearing of election petitions fall into post-election activities as aggrieved candidates are given the opportunity of presenting their grievances before the judiciary.”

Soyebi commended the state for the peaceful conduct which resulted in no case of inconclusive elections.

He called for improved electoral participation by the people, saying the number of votes recorded in the last election was a far cry from the total number of people on the voters’ register.

He also urged the people to support the commission in its preparations for the 2023 elections, which he says has started in earnest.

Makinde thanked INEC, the security operatives and his supporters that ensured peaceful conduct during the March 9, polls.

While congratulating the lawmakers-elect, Makinde expressed willingness to work with them in his “desire to make the lives of Oyo state indigenes better.”

Ugwuanyi, deputy, others get certificates

Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi yesterday received his Certificate of Return as governor-elect in the March 9th Governorship Election held in the state.

The governor, alongside his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo and other elected members of the state Assembly received their certificates of return at the headquaters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in the state, Dr. Emeka Ononammadu, noted that it was gratifying that the electoral process ended in peace with all promises of fairness, openness and neutrality kept.

“It was a tortuous journey that did not come at zero cost but it is also a journey that the entire nation is poised to learn from Enugu,” he stated.

Ugwuanyi stated that they had prayed for a peaceful and transparent election and icommended efforts of security agencies during the process.

A National Commissioner of INEC, Mr. Festus Okoye, who also spoke at the occasion, said INEC could no longer afford to plan in an uncertain environment.

Okoye, who is the commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, disclosed that the independent National Electoral Commission would embark on aggressive constitutional and electoral reforms to enhance the integrity of the electoral process.

INEC: Enugu polls exceptional

The national leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commended the peaceful and successful conduct of the general elections in Enugu State, describing it as one of the best in the country.

The electoral umpire added that the exercise in Enugu State, unlike in some states, witnessed no case of “violence, snatching of ballot boxes or all sorts of electoral malpractices”.

The INEC commendation was made by the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, during the presentation of certificates of return to Governor Ugwuanyi and others.

Okoye, who congratulated the recipients, on behalf of the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for their victory at the polls, explained that the exercise “is a formal statutory and confirmatory process that you have won an election in accordance with the constitution and electoral dictates”.

He also congratulated “in a very big way, the people of Enugu State for taking ownership of the electoral process and driving it in a very peaceful and conducive atmosphere that fused power and sovereignty back to them”.

Offering advice to the recipients, he said: “The sealed Certificate of Return that will be presented to you is not a trophy that marks the conclusion of your service. Rather it marks the beginning of your service to the people. The validity of the certificate rests with the people of Enugu State. It is within their constitutional mandate to renew, withdraw and or elevate it. The key word is service to the people”.

Read also: Imo Governor-elect to prioritise youth empowerment

Kano re-run: CUPP denies plan to challenge results

A coalition of 42 registered political parties in Kano State, under the aegis of coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has dissociated itself from reports that it had concluded plans to challenge the victory of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at the just concluded supplementary election before the tribunal.

CUPP, who visited the Kano State governor-elect, was led by its chairman, Alhaji Isah Nuhu Isah, who expressed disgust over a plan to challenge the governor’s victory.

Isah who is also the chairman, lnter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), described the position of the coalition as unacceptable, pointing out that “CUPP has distanced itself from such claims.”

“CUPP was shocked and perplexed to read the contents of the news conference discrediting the whole conduct of the process, security agencies, INEC and worst still the declaration to challenge the outcome of the exercise.

“We in CUPP comprising the representatives of the 42 political parties in the coalition, and joined by the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), categorically disowned and disassociate the coalition from the sham press conference as well as condemn it in its entirety as it does not reflect our true assessment of the election.”

Isah also explained that the coalition was dismayed by the action of the conveners of the news conference for using the coalition to express personal and untoward views for whatever reasons and influence under the guise of CUPP.

He noted that the coalition monitored the supplementary election in Kano and in all sincerity believed it to be free, fair and peaceful, but acknowledged that there were pockets of violence in some polling units.

Ganduje wondered why only the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) faulted the re-run election while it was not the only party that participated.

“Why is PDP crying more than the bereaved, are they hiding some mischievous anti-Kano mission?”

Ganduje promised to run an all-inclusive government, which would be anchored on unity, where members of other political parties will be embraced.

Benue Tribunal gets 11 petitions

There are 11 petitions before The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benue State.

The secretary of the tribunal in the state, Mrs. Deborah Musa, who disclosed this in an interview with reporters in Makurdi, gave the breakdown of the petitions to include four Senatorial and seven House of Representatives.

Mrs. Musa revealed that two of the petitions were filed against the winner of the Benue South Senatorial seat, comrade Abba Moro.

According to her, one was filed against Moro by candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, Chief Steve Lawani and the petition was filed by a defeated candidate of the Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA), Alhaji Usman Abubakar respectively.

Both parties are challenging the emergence of Senator Abba Moro as the winner of the Benue South Senatorial District seat election held on February 23.

She further said the tribunal had also received a petition from the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the National Assembly election, Senator George Akume, challenging the declaration of Emmanuel Orker Jev of the People’s Democratic Party as the winner of the Benue northwest senatorial seat.

Mrs. Musa stated that the fourth petition was filed by another candidate of the APC for the Benue NorthEast Senatorial Seat, Mrs. Mimi Orubibi-Adzapeh against former Governor Gabriel Suswam.

She disclosed that Mrs. Adzapeh is challenging the declaration of Suswam of the PDP as the winner of the election.

She stated that the tribunal was yet to receive any petition in respect of the governorship and State assembly elections in the state.

The tribunal secretary stated that petitions have been received from Samson Okwu of the People’s Democratic Party and Mr. Nick Ewuro of the All Progressives Congress APC  against Agada David of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who was declared winner of the Oju/Obi federal Constituency.

“The law stipulated twenty-one days for respondents to reply to petitions filed against them but they are yet to reply to the petitions and an event that the 21 days elapsed, the tribunal will mandate the petitioners to use substituted means to serve the respondents in view of the time limit which is 180 days that all cases are to last”, she said.