Paul Osuyi, Asaba

The three All Progressives Congress (APC) members-elect for the Delta State House of Assembly on Wednesday in Asaba had their certificates of return withheld by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Those affected were Anidi Emosivwe for Ethiope East constituency, Charles Whomorho for Ughelli North I constituency and Egbo Jaro for Ughelli North II constituency.

Also withheld is that of member-elect on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ocho Christopher for Ukwuani constituency.

INEC National Commissioner in charge of Delta, Cross River and Akwa-Ibom states, Mohammed Lecky, who made this known while presenting certificates of return to winners of the March 9 election, cited subsisting court cases against the potential legislators as the reason for withholding the documents.

It was not clear if the commission also withheld the certificate for the incumbent Deputy Speaker, Friday Osanebi, who was re-elected on the platform of the PDP for Ndokwa East constituency, as he was conspicuously absent during the presentation of the certificates to winners of the March 9 election.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who was re-elected on the platform of the PDP, the Speaker of the House, Sheriff Oborevwori who was so re-elected on the PDP platform to represent Okpe constituency and others received their certificates from Mr. Lecky.

Okowa, flanked by his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro, thanked the people of the state for renewing his mandate, describing the election of March 9 as peaceful; he commended INEC for delivering on its promise to conduct free, fair and credible polls in the state.

He, however, regretted the loss of four lives in Delta Central during the general elections, describing it as unwarranted.

The governor solicited the continued partnership of the people, saying that he had a successful first tenure because of the collaboration and participation of the people in his administration.

“We want to reassure that we will be doing more for the state. We call on all because it requires the participation of the people. We will continue to connect with the people through town hall meetings and other avenues. I appeal to all to cooperate with us in the next four years,” Okowa said.

Earlier, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Cyril Omorogbe, who was represented by the Administrative Secretary, Felix Enabor, said the presentation of certificates was the culmination of the general elections in the state.

Omorogbe congratulated the political parties and their candidates in the state for exhibiting high-level of decorum and restraint throughout the elections.

Regretting the loss of lives and destruction of property in some voting centres in the state, Omorogbe disclosed that security agencies were already on the trail of the perpetrators of the dastard acts with a view to bringing them to justice.