 Successful candidates from six states officially recognised as elected representatives following Saturday’s polls….
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally presented Certificates of Return to candidates who emerged victorious in the recent bye-elections conducted across several states of the federation.
The electoral exercise, held on Saturday, covered vacant legislative seats in Enugu, Nasarawa, Ondo, Rivers, Kano and Kebbi states.
Among the positions contested were senatorial seats in Enugu, Nasarawa North, Ondo South and Rivers South-East, as well as the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency seat in Kano State and the Zuru State Constituency seat in Kebbi State.
The presentation ceremony marked the final stage of the electoral process, officially confirming the winners as the duly elected representatives of their respective constituencies.
Representing INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan at the event, National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu congratulated the successful candidates and reminded them of the responsibility that comes with public office.
She urged the newly elected lawmakers to prioritise the interests of the people who entrusted them with their votes, stressing that effective representation remains the essence of democratic governance.
According to her, the true measure of success in public office lies in the ability of elected officials to respond to the needs and aspirations of their constituents.
Agbamuche-Mbu also disclosed that separate presentations would be conducted for other winners, including the governor-elect of Ekiti State, who is expected to receive a Certificate of Return at the commission’s office in Ado-Ekiti. The winner of the Zuru State Constituency election in Kebbi State will receive the certificate in Birnin Kebbi.
The ceremony saw national commissioners assigned to the affected constituencies present the certificates to the winners, formally recognising their electoral victories and paving the way for them to assume office.
The development comes days after voters in the affected constituencies went to the polls to fill vacant legislative positions, with the elections attracting attention from political parties and stakeholders across the country.
With the issuance of the Certificates of Return, the elected candidates are now set to begin the next phase of their political mandates as they prepare to represent their constituents at the state and national levels.
