Rose Ejembi, Makurdi

Governor Samuel Ortom along with 30 members of the state House of Assembly was on Friday issued with their certificates of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Nentawe Yilwatda, while presenting the certificates to Governor Ortom, his deputy, Benson Abounu, as well as the elected legislators advised them to ensure good governance in the state.

Yilwatda posited that there was a remarkable improvement of voter registration from 1.9 million in 2015 to 2.4 million in 2019 with a marked increase of over 500,000 voters representing 22 per cent increase in voter registration.

The REC who posited that the 2019 general elections were relatively peaceful in the state, however, regretted what he described as the attitude of some politicians whose stock in trade was to sponsor thugs to hijack electoral materials and manhandle INEC staff.

“Politicians should be more mature in this 21st century and refrain from such acts. In all, we had a relatively peaceful election and I urge the governor and other representatives to deliver on good governance.

Related News

In his speech, INEC Commissioner in charge of Anambra, Enugu and Benue states, Barr Festus Okoye, explained that the concept of margin of lead and organisation of supplementary election was constitutional.

He said the electoral umpire deliberately inserted them in the laws and constitution to give meaning to the concept of the vote and prevent serial violators from undermining the electoral process.

“Politicians do not have the right through their acts to deprive the people of their franchise. What the Nigerian people need is a robust, honest, professional and security architecture that secure the electoral environment and give the voters the requisite voice.”

The governor in his remarks acknowledged President Muhammadu Buhari for staying true to his word not to interfere in elections in the state but allowed the will of the people to prevail.

Ortom who also commended INEC for not allowing the electoral process to be politicised, observed that although the process did not achieve 100 per cent success as desired, the process achieved credit.

“There is room for improvement to have a perfect electoral system which will provide equity and fairness for the people. Elections are over now; I am not governor of PDP but of Benue State. We have to put aside our political differences for the advancement of the state,” he stated.