Another three members-elect of the Imo state house of assembly, have received their certificates of return, from the Independent National Electoral Commission today.
The presentation of the certificates is coming, following the result of the April 15, supplementary election, conducted in the three local government areas, where elections were earlier declared inconclusive, during the March 18, governorship and state house of assembly election, in the state.
The assembly members-elect involved in the collection of the certificates were; the All Progressives Congress candidate and the member-elect, representing Ahiazu Mbaise state constituency Mr. Nkem Otuibe, Chief Vitalis Azodo of the Accord Party, who is representing, Ideato South, state constituency, and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Modestus Osakwe, representing Isu state constituency.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sylvia Agu, during the presentation ceremony, congratulated the incoming lawmakers, reminding them, that their victory was defined.
“For us in INEC, today’s occasion marks the end of a phase in our electoral cycle,” he said.
The presentation of the certificate is coming barely 14 days after they were declared winners of the election, as the law stipulated.
Speaking shortly after the presentation of the certificate of return, the REC expressed happiness towards the commission and also appreciated all the stakeholders that participated during the election, to ensure the success of the exercise.
Speaking on behalf of the elected members, Otuibe commended the REC for encouraging free and fair elections in the state.
“I want to thank you all. It is a day of joy for us and secondly, I want to say God knows why He brought you here because you have shown capacity and strength.
“You have shown that you don’t belong to any party but to all.
“Thank you for ensuring that the electorate exercised their rights of choice,” he said.
However, one of the elected members, Osakwe, speaking during an interview, expressed happiness with the issuance of certificates.
The first-time elected lawmaker encouraged INEC to remain independent in future elections, to ensure that only the right people were elected into political offices.
“The electoral laws are there to guide every step all the way. If followed to the letter, there won’t be too much rancor,” he said.
Also speaking, the candidate of the Accord Party, said “Let us follow the laws, particularly in the area of uploading results to the IReV portal.
“This will ensure that only popular candidates are elected,” Azodo, another first-timer, said.
He restated his commitment to providing quality, adequate and efficient representation to the people of Ideato South State Constituency, adding that their trust in him, will not be taken for granted.
