Ogun State: INEC Issues Certificates Of Return To Governor, Others

 

Nigeria’s Electoral umpire, INEC, has presented Certificates of Return to the Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun, the winner of the Governorship election held on March 18th, 2023.

Abiodun who is rounding up his first term of four years had in a keenly contested election, polled 276,298 votes to defeat his closest rival of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, who scored 262,383 votes.

The presentation was supervised by the National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in charge of Ogun, Osun and Ondo States, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, under tight security, to avert any security breach.

 

Prof Ajayi explained that the presentation of certificates was statutory according to section 72 of the Constitution which mandated INEC to issue certificates of return within 14 days to winners of elections it conducted.

The event was held at the media centre INEC headquarters in Abeokuta the state capital and also witnessed the presentation of Certificates of Return to 25 newly-elected House of Assembly members.

Professor Ajayi commended the people of the state on the peaceful way they conducted themselves during the general elections.

He urged the Governor and other recipients of the certificates of return to remain committed to serving humanity in their respective positions.

Professor Ajayi said that “INEC would remain impartial, and work round the clock to deliver credible and acceptable elections to Nigeria.”

He assured Nigerians and the people of the state that the lessons learnt in the election would serve as a working document for subsequent elections.

Professor Ajayi stated that INEC would build on the high level of credibility it achieved by deploying the use of technology into the electoral process.

He said; “INEC as an electoral umpire under the Chairmanship of Mahmood Yakub will remain consistent in achieving our vision and our aspiration to be one of the best election management bodies in the world.

“The commission is aiming at attaining the core mandate of independence, impartiality and transparency.”

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ogun State, Niyi Ijalaye, explained that the event was constitutional and supported by the electoral act.

He said; “Election has been concluded and the winners are here and the law enjoins us to present to every one of their certificates of return.”

Governor Abiodun appreciated God for victory, saying it was an opportunity to continue to take dividends from democracy to the nooks and crannies of the state.

The Governor also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for being so deliberate and determined to provide an enabling environment to bring about free and fair elections

“This election proclaims a renewed dedication to the vision of this administration. It is a call for a new hope to Ogun and the entire Nigerian nation,” he said.

Governor Abiodun explained that his government would continue to provide people-oriented programmes, urging the people to join hands with the government to build the future of the state together.

The Governor promised to use the privilege of being elected for another term to continue to pursue programmes and policies that would make life much more abundant for the people, urging those who contested the seat with him, to join hands in building a more prosperous Ogun State.

Dignitaries at the occasion included the former Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, Sen Adegbenga Kaka and APC State Chairman, Yemi Sanusi among others.

 

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere