Soludo, Anambra Gov-Elect Receives Certificate Of Return From INEC
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the governor-elect of Anambra has been issued his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Awka.
Mr Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner Supervising Anambra, Mr Festus Okoye, presented the certificate to Soludo at the Headquarters, Awka on Friday.
Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Deputy Governor-Elect,also received his Certificate of Return at the event.
In his remarks, Soludo promised not to disappoint the people of the state who gave him the support and mandate in the Nov. 6 governorship election.
According to him, the efforts and sacrifice of the people of Anambra would not be in vain, as he will justify the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state.
“Initially, there were tense moments but this election happened in a unique way and we dedicate this victory to God and the people of Anambra who believed and gave us their mandate.
“We will never take for granted the resilience, commitments and actions of the various federal institutions that worked so hard to see us to this day.
“I believe that a sound and credible electoral system is foundational to having an accountable, responsive and developmental state.
“So, I believe that INEC is getting better by the day. I also believe that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation system (BVAS), deployed, if refined, will give us that desired Eldorado in our electoral system, ” he said
In his address, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, INEC Resident Commissioner in Anambra, said that the commission had done its best to deliver credible elections and also promoted the image of INEC.
Orji who was represented by Mr Chima Duruaku, Administrative Secretary of INEC, commended the people of Anambra for the maturity displayed before, during and after the election.
“The calming of the storm that was raging very hard was divine and on a human level, the commission was resolute to put in a lot of sacrifice, efforts and innovation to deliver.
“The support of the security agencies, the National Youth Service Corps and the military contributed to the success that we celebrate today.
“We also commended the peaceful conduct of political parties in spite the doomsday prediction and the singular resolve by the Anambra people that the election must be done, ” he said.
INEC National Commissioner Supervising Anambra, Okoye, said the ceremony signified that the governor and deputy governor-elect won the Nov.6 governorship election in Anambra.
Okoye promised that the commission would audit the conduct of the election and utilised the lessons to improve on the next set elections.
He appreciated the security agencies, NYSC and the Media for their support as well as the people of Anambra for their firm belief in democracy and for guarding their votes through vigilance and mandate protection.
Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate, polled a total of 112,229 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party who scored 53, 807 to emerge second.
