Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan the Delta state governor-elect and his Deputy Prof. Amos Utuama on Tuesday at a colourful ceremony at Asaba, received their Certificates of Return (CoR) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Independent National Electoral Commission presented the certificate of return to the Delta state governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and to all state Assembly and National Assembly members elected during the April elections who were declared winners at the concluded April/May general elections in Delta state.
Dr. Uduaghan, his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, two Senator elect Hon. Pius Ehwerido, Senator James Manager, nine members of the House of Representatives and 27 state House of Assembly legislators-elect including Chief Austin Ogbaburhon, Chief Evelyn Ojakovo, Hon. Akpodiogaga Emeyese, Chief Kiston Okoro and others received their certificate of return.
Presenting the certificate of return to the governor in Asaba the Chairman of INEC Prof. Atahiru Jega said certificate of return was an important instrument in the electoral process.
Prof Jega who was represented by the Federal INEC Commissioner in charge of Delta, Edo and Beyalsa states Dr Ishimel Igbani said the certificate of return was the only key to any elected office. He expressed satisfaction that his commission has delivered on its promise of organizing a free fair and credible election.
The INEC Chairman said the April elections have been widely acclaimed as one of the best in recent times and wished those who won success in their legislative duties.
In his acceptance speech Delta state governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan appealed to those who were not given certificates of return not to take the laws into their hands but should seek justice through the law courts.
Dr Uduaghan called on the opposition to join hands with him to move the state forward and not to resort to unhealthy actions.
He urged the political class to accept the hand of fate and leave their fortune in the hands of God. “I appeal to all those who did not receive their certificates of return not take the laws into their hands but seek redress in the law court”.
The governor commended security operatives for their alertness especially during and after the elections.
Dr Uduaghan who called on Deltans to join him in fast-tracking the spate of development in the state and pledged to bridge any existing communication gap in the next four years said security operatives were firm, protective and vigilant even as he explained that they aborted many ugly incidents which were fomented by thugs.
He also commended members of NYSC in the state for their dedication to duty and promised that the state government will take responsibility for the training and upkeep of the children of one of the deceased Corp member who lost his life during the elections.
In his address, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Gabriel Ogbudu Ada who dissociated INEC from any form of compromise described the outcome of the concluded elections in Delta state as the will of the people.
In his address of welcome the state Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr Gabriel Ada said there were checks and balances in the new electoral laws that make it impossible for any resident electoral commissioner to help any candidate win or lose election.
While it was jubilation galore in the homes of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Prof. Amos Utuama, James Manager and others over their receipt of certificate of returns from the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a result of their recent victory at the polls, same cannot be said of the Okowas as the Electoral Commission denied him his certificate of return due to what they attributed to court injunction.
INEC National Commissioner in charge of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states, Dr. Ishmael Igbani while presenting certificate to winners during the colourful ceremony at the Grand Hotel Asaba instead of INEC Office Asaba, said that the Commission could not give Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa his certificate because of a Federal High Court injunction restraining them from doing that.
The Delta North Senator-elect who was visibly calm while addressing newsmen over the development said “I just got to know now that my opponent instituted a case at the Federal High Court Abuja. And he got an injunction restraining INEC from giving me my certificate of return. But I do know that according to our law which is the Electoral Act, every post election issues ought to be taken to the Tribunal. But be that as it may, I have directed my lawyer to do what is necessary”.
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