The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised any politician who feels aggrieved over the just concluded general elections to seek redress in law court.
National Commissioner supervising Plateau, Niger, Kaduna states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Professor Antonia Okoosi-Simbine, said this, yesterday, shortly before presenting certificate of return to the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-rufai.
Also, 34 members of the State House of Assembly received their certificates of return. The INEC Commissioner said: “The commission advises disgruntled persons and parties to feel free to seek judicial remedy where they believe they have genuine case (s) to pursue.
“Indeed, seeking judicial remedy is not only a part and parcel of the electoral process in Nigeria, it is consistent with the culture of democracy as opposed to resorting to self-help.
She admitted that the elections were marred by violence through, “a new trend in which some parties and candidates engaged in violent behavior.
This she said included manhandling election duty officials and intimidation of voters, collation and returning officers, among others
“The commission views this trend with grave concerns and will continue to work on greater voter enlightenment for mandate protection as well as with the security agencies to curtail this ugly trend.”
However, the INEC boss called on governor El-rufai to ensure the people of the state enjoy dividends of democracy.
“I encourage you to deliver more materials benefits to the diversity of people in Kaduna, in order to meet their expectations,” she urged the governor.
In his remarks shortly after receiving the certificate, El-rufai promised to carry everybody along in governance, irrespective of political differences.
He assured of security of life and property, just as he expressed gratitude to the people for re-electing him to serve them for a second term.
The electoral body has also issued certificate of return to Nasarawa State governor -elect, Abdulahi Alhaji Sule.
The INEC commissioner in the state, Dr Orthman Adgidagba, said the exercise was in line with the constitution of Nigeria, which specifies that a certificate of return be issued to winners of election.
Receiving the certificate , the governor-elect thanked God and the people of Nasarawa State for finding him worthy to lead them for the next four years.
He called on his opponents to join him in building a new and united Nasarawa State, adding that he would build on the foundation already laid by the outgoing governor of the state, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
Sule, the immediate past Group Managing Director of Dangote Sugar Refinery, won the governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The deputy governor-elect, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, also recieved his certificate of return.
Meanwhile, INEC will present certificate of return to Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, and the deputy governor-elect, Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, today, at the commission’s headquarters in Jos, the state capital.
Head, Voter Education and Publicity, Osaretin Imahiyereoboe, in a press statement, yesterday, also said certificates will also be issued to all successful candidates who contested and won elective posts in the elections in the state.
They include the state deputy governor-elect as well as House of Assembly members-elect. (The Sun)
