The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday presented Certificates of Return to winners of the June 20 bye-elections conducted in Enugu, Rivers, Nasarawa, Ondo and Kano states.

The certificates were presented on behalf of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, by the Supervising National Commissioner for Rivers State, May Agbamuche-Mbu, during a ceremony in Abuja.

Among those who received their certificates were Asogwa Ikeje Israel of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who won the Enugu North Senatorial District bye-election; Danladi Envulu-Anza of the APC, winner of the Nasarawa North Senatorial District seat; Olaka Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who emerged victorious in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District poll; and Rabiu Shuaibu of the APC, who won the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency election in Kano State.

The winner of the Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election, Dayo Faduyile of the APC, was absent from the event.

Earlier, Agbamuche-Mbu congratulated the winners and commended political parties and their supporters for maintaining peace throughout the electoral process.

“We are grateful to the politicians who had all their supporters under control. That is basically what has happened here,” she said.

She noted that the successful conduct of the bye-elections reflected the commitment of stakeholders to democracy and urged the elected representatives to justify the confidence reposed in them by their constituents.

“Today, we are issuing Certificates of Return to those who have been declared winners of the bye-elections. We pray that you represent your people very well; that is what matters most to us,” she added.

The national commissioner also disclosed that Certificates of Return would be issued to winners of other elections conducted on June 20, including a state constituency election in Kebbi State and the governorship election held in Ekiti State.

She wished the winners success in the discharge of their responsibilities and urged them to contribute positively to democratic governance and development in their respective constituencies.