INEC issues certificate of return to elected chairmen, councilors

 In accordance with the Electoral Act as amended, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday issued certificates of return to the six Area Council chairmen and 61 councilors who were elected in the Federal Capital Territory area council election held penultimate weekend.

Presenting the certificates, Chris Iyimoga, the national commissioner in charge of FCT, tasked elected officers to justify the confidence the electorate repose on them, stressing that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

Iyimoga commended the political parties and electorate for their maturity throughout the exercise, even as he noted that the Area Council election has proved that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.

Although he acknowledged the low turnout of electorate during the council poll, he expressed confidence that the outcome of the election will be used as a yardstick to measure subsequent elections.

Also speaking, Godwin Kwanga, the Resident Electoral commissioner (REC) in the FCT, noted that the journey to successful Area Council poll started last year with issuance of timetable and several meetings with political parties and stakeholders.

According to him, “we followed the timetable religiously with a view to conducting a credible election in FCT. On the 16th of March, 2013 the election was conducted and it has been adjudged by observers as the most credible election in recent times.”

REC therefore congratulated those elected and those who accepted defeat for their maturity.

Speaking to our correspondent shortly after the certificate presentation, Hon. Micah Jiba, the chairman elect of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, assured residents of AMAC that his best is yet to come, noting that infrastructural development and human capacity will be given priority.

Jiba also used the occasion to thank residents of the Territory for the confidence reposed in him.

HARRISON EDEH