INEC presents Certificates of Return to governor-elect Ortom, others in Benue

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented Certificates of Return to Benue governor-elect, Dr Samuel Ortom, his Deputy and 10 members of the National Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state has 11 Federal Constituencies and three senatorial districts.

Prof. Istifinus Dafwang, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, presented the Certificates of Return in Makurdi on Tuesday.

Dafwang appealed to the winners to be magnanimous in victory by extending their hands of fellowship to losers in the election.

The INEC commissioner, who admitted minor electoral hitches in the elections, described the exercise as peaceful.

Also, INEC’s National Commissioner for North-Central, Mr Lawrence Uwuruku, urged them to provide good governance by tackling developmental challenges confronting the people to justify their confidence in them.

The governor-elect, Ortom, who spoke on their behalf, commended INEC for the free and fair elections and pledged to rule the state with the fear of God.

Ortom, who promised to tackle unemployment through industrialisation, said he would develop a robust health care system to tackle diseases and illnesses.

NAN reports that the Certificate of Return for Buruku Federal Constituency was not presented.

INEC had cancelled three council wards from the constituency on account of electoral malpractices and had ordered fresh polls in the area.

The commissioner assured that the certificate would be presented at a later date along with winners of the House of Assembly elections.