Delta state governor-elect, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has received his Certificates of Return (CoR) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Independent National Electoral Commission presented the certificate of return to the Delta state governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and to all state Assembly and National Assembly members elected during the April elections who were declared winners at the concluded April/May general elections in Delta state.
Uduaghan, his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, two Senatorial District candidates, nine members of the House of Representatives and 27 state House of Assembly legislators-elect received the certificate.
Presenting the certificate of return to the governor in Asaba the Chairman of INEC Prof. Atahiru Jega said certificate of return was an important instrument in the electoral process.
Prof Jega who was represented by the Federal INEC Commissioner in charge of Delta, Edo and Beyalsa states Dr Ishimel Igbani said the certificate of return was the only key to any elected office.
He expressed satisfaction that his commission has delivered on its promise of organizing a free fair and credible election.
Dr. Ishmael Igbani revealed that two candidates would not be issued the Certificate of Return following pending court cases and until the cases were vacated.
The INEC Chairman said the April elections have been widely acclaimed as one of the best in recent times and wished those who won success in their legislative duties
In his acceptance speech Delta state governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan appealed to those who were not given certificate of return not to take the laws into their hands but should seek justice through the law courts.
Dr Uduaghan called on the opposition to join hands with him to move the state forward and not to resort to unhealthy actions.
He urged the political class to accept the hand of fate and leave their fortune in the hands of God.
His words “I appeal to all those who did not receive their certificate of return not take the laws into their hands but seek redress in the law court”.
The governor commended security operatives for their alertness especially during and after the elections.
Dr Uduaghan who called on Deltans to join him in fast-tracking the spate of development in the state and pledged to bridge any existing communication gap in the next four years said security operatives were firm, protective and vigilant even as he explained that they aborted many ugly incidents which were fomented by thugs.
He also commended members of NYSC in the state for their dedication to duty and promised that the state government will take responsibility for the training and upkeep of the children of one of the deceased Corp member who lost his life during the elections.
In his address, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Gabriel Ogbudu Ada who dissociated INEC from any form of compromise described the outcome of the concluded elections in Delta state as the will of the people.
A house of Assembly elect Mr. Nduka Azaka who was elected on the platform of Democratic People party (DPP) expressed the readiness of the opposition to cooperate with the house to make good laws.
Mr. Azaka also promised on behalf of all members of the house of Assembly elect to partner with the executive arm of government to improve the fortune of Deltans and provide the much needed democracy.
In his address of welcome the state Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr Gabriel Ada said there were checks and balances in the new electoral laws that make it impossible for any resident electoral commissioner to help any candidate win or lose election.
Dr Ada expressed happiness that the new Delta state house of Assembly will have a fair representation of political parties which contested the April election.
He said it was a cheering departure from the past where only one party dominated the house and thanked God that it was during this new dispensation that this feat was achieved in Delta state.