BY ABIODUN NEJO
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Wednesday, presented Certificate of Return to winner of last Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi.
Speaking shortly after he received the certificate, the Governor-elect, Fayemi, promised not to disappoint the people and assured them that the state would enjoy the benefit of good governance as from October 16 when he assumed office.
INEC National Commissioner in charge of Oyo, Ekiti and Osun States, Prince Adedeji Soyebi, presented Fayemi and the deputy governor-elect, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, with Certificates of Return at a ceremony held at state INEC office, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Fayemi, who said that the election which returned him as winner was “seamless, free, fair, credible and violence-free,” praised the electoral body for doing what he described as an “excellent job” of conducting the governorship poll.
The governor-elect stressed that INEC did a good job in delivering the election in a credible and professional manner despite fears being expressed in the build-up to the poll.
He also praised the security agencies for providing security back-up which gave the electorate confidence to come out and exercise their franchise.
Fayemi hailed the APC National Working Committee (NWC) led by the National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole and the State Executive Committee led by the State Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe.
He said: “For INEC, the work has just ended and for us, the work has just started. We have a responsibility not to disappoint our people.
“Ekiti people will see the benefit of good governance by the grace of God as from October 16.”
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. AbdulGaniy Raji, expressed delight that the election was held despite the tension that preceded it.
Raji praised the people of Ekiti State for the maturity displayed before during and after the election which he was successful.
According to him, Ekiti is moving higher with the conduct of the election, expressing hope that futures elections to be conducted in the state would be successful.
In his remarks, INEC National Commissioner, Soyebi noted that the presentation of Certificate of Return marked the end of the process of the Ekiti governorship election.
Soyebi who described Ekiti as a homogenous state, urged the people to continue being one another’s brother’s keepers.
He said: “Today marks the end of the election in Ekiti State on the part of the Commission which is the presentation of Certificates of
Return to the governor-elect and the deputy governor-elect.
“If there are issues arising from the election, there is another arm of government that will take care of that. This is another important day in the history of the state.
“On behalf of the Commission, I congratulate everybody. Ekiti has pointed the way forward in conducting elections in Nigeria,” the INEC national commissioner said.
