The Independent National Electoral Commission in Ogun on Thursday presented Certificates of Return to Governor Dapo Abiodun and his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who emerged winners of the governorship election held on March 18.
Also, 25 newly-elected House of Assembly members collected their Certificates of Return at the event held at the media center within INEC headquarters in Abeokuta.
The INEC National Commissioner for Ogun, Osun and Ondo States, Prof Adekunle Ajayi, presented the Certificates of Return to Abiodun and his deputy.
Abiodun polled 276,298 votes to defeat his closest rival and PDP candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, who scored 262,383 votes.
The Ogun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Niyi Ijalaye, equally presented the Certificates of return to 25 House of Assembly members-elect remaining that of Ifo State Constituted 1 which is pending due to the scheduled rerun election in one of the polling units slated for April.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, in Ogun, Niyi Ijalaye, explained that the event was constitutional and supported by the electoral act.
Ijalaye said, “election has been concluded and the winners are here and the law enjoins us to present to each and every one of them certificates of return.”
Speaking during the presentation, Ajayi lauded the peaceful conduct of the poll in the state.
He said that the use of new technologies such as BVAS and IRev for the first time enhanced the credibility of the electoral process.
He, however, said the commission had taken note of the invaluable lessons from the elections which he said would definitely come in handy to improve on the subsequent elections.
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.
He charged the governor and other recipients of the certificates of return to remain committed to serving humanity in their respective positions.
“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 body in the world.
“The commission is aiming on attaining our core mandate of independent, impartiality, and transparency,” he said.
Abiodun, in his remarks, said his victory was an opportunity to continue to take dividends of 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 a free and fair elections.
He explained that the election was free, fair, and transparent. The people came out in their thousands to exercise their franchise. 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 Nigeria nation,” he said.
Abiodun explained that his government would continue to provide people-oriented programs, urging the people to join hands with the government to build the future of the state together
Dignitaries at the occasion included the former Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, Sen. Adegbenga Kaka, APC State Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi among others.
