By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued Certificates of Return to newly elected lawmakers in Saturday’s by-elections across various constituencies and senatorial districts in six states.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the certificates were issued to the lawmakers-elect on Tuesday at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Among the recipients were Chief Ikeje Asogwa (All Progressives Congress, Enugu North Senatorial District); and Halilu Envulu-Anza (APC, Nasarawa North Senatorial District).
Others are Johnson Nwogu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers South-East Senatorial District; and Rabiu Shuaibu (APC, Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency, Kano State).
In her remarks, the INEC National Commissioner, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, described the by-elections that produced the lawmakers-elect as credible, peaceful, and violence-free.
She commended the political actors and their supporters for maintaining order and allowing for a smooth electoral process.
While congratulating the winners, Agbamuche-Mbu advised them to prioritise effective representation for their respective constituencies and senatorial districts.
“Today, INEC will be issuing your certificates of return, and we pray you represent your people very well. That’s what matters most to us,” she said.
Agbamuche-Mbu noted that both elections were held on June 20.
The National Commissioner disclosed that the certificate of return would be issued for Zuru State Constituency, in Kebbi, Kebbi State, while that of Ekiti governorship election would also be issued in the state.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after receiving his certificate, the Senator-elect for Enugu North Senatorial District, Asogwa, expressed his readiness to deliver the dividends of democracy to his constituents.
“We are going to get things done starting from infrastructural development, improving the education and health sector, and then empowerment especially for the youth,” Asogwa stated.
He attributed the APC’s victory to the visible developmental strides of the party in government, in education, healthcare, infrastructural development and good governance.
Asogwa also expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would win Enugu State in 2027 presidential election.
“The reason the APC won is because of what is going on in our state right now. Complete transformation and development strides by our governor, it is tremendous and commendable.
“For President Tinubu; in Enugu, he is going to win. When you come and see what the APC government is doing, you will be impressed.
“These projects are not in planning stage, they are already being executed and finished,” Asogwa said.
On his part, the Senator-elect for Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Johnson Nwogu of the PDP, expressed deep gratitude to God and his constituents for the electoral victory.
“When you go into an electoral contest, you are at the mercy of God and the people. I think God favoured me with His mercy. The people were also kind to me to choose me as their senator,” Nwogu said.
Nwogu pledged that when inaugurated into the Senate, he would be a strong advocate for his constituency and the nation.
“Given where our country is today, each and every one of us who has this opportunity has the chance to be a voice for the people, to speak truth to power, to play their role to ensure that good governance prevails,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Envulu-Anza, the Senator-elect, Nasarawa North Senatorial District, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Nasarawa State, Timothy Anjide, denied the allegations of irregularities in the by-election in the senatorial district, insisting it was credible and peaceful.
“I think that our opponents have been very unfair to the good and peace-loving people of Nasarawa North.
“From all intents and purposes, from all the interactions, from all the inquiries, the election in Nasarawa North was peaceful, and very orderly.
“Our supporters, and members of the APC in particular, were very orderly. They did not allow themselves to be overwhelmed by any provocation,” he said.
Anjide noted that the people of Nasarawa North made an excellent choice in electing Envulu-Anza, whom he described as an outstanding legal mind, administrator, and philanthropist.
He stated that the constituency should expect a continuation of the progressive developmental and leadership strides set by the APC leadership, as well as the fulfilment of the goals left behind by his predecessor, late Sen. Godiya Akwashiki.
“Certainly the people are expecting continuation of good governance and good representation, which is the trademark of the APC in Nasarawa State, and particularly in Nasarawa North.
“We are dealing with a successful candidate who has made his mark, not only in his home area, not only in Nasarawa State, not only in Nigeria, even at the global level, as a very outstanding legal mind, administrator, philanthropist, and interventionist in public affairs.
“So, I think that a good choice has been made, and we are not expecting anything less,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
OBE/PUO/SOA
Edited by Perpetua Onuegbu/Oluwole Sogunle
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