The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented Certificates of Return to the Benue State Governor- elect, Reverend Father Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia and his deputy Barr. Samuel Ode.
Addressing the people before commencement of the event, the INEC Federal Commissioner in charge of Communication and Voter Education, Barr. Festus Okoye said the exercise was in compliance with the commission’s provision that winners in any electoral contest are expected to be issued with Certificate of Return within a period of fourteen days after they have been declared elected.
He said, “the commission will continue to uphold the sanctity of the ballot”, adding that the electoral umpire shall continue to ensure that only votes of the people will determine who governs them.
According to Okoye, the commission was the commission of Nigerian people, a public trust and its allegiance was only to the citizens of the country and the constitution.
The federal commissioner who congratulated all those who have been elected to various offices, urged them to see the entire state as their constituency and citizens of the state as those who they have been elected to serve.
Earlier, the Benue State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Samuel Egwu said the commission was poised to operate within the confines of the law.
Barr. Okoye presented Certificates of Return to the Benue State Governor- elect, Reverend Father Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia and his deputy, Barr. Samuel Ode while Professor Samuel Egwu presented Certificates of Return to 33 members of the Benue State House of Assembly- elect.
Out of the 33 members of the House including the recently restored two constituencies of Agasha and Mata, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won 23 seats, ten was won by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while one seat was won by Labour Party (LP).
