By Daniel Salmon, Jos
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented certificate of Return to Plateau State Governor-Elect, Barr Caleb Mutfwang and the Deputy Governor-Elect, Ngo Josephine Piyo.
Resident Electoral Commissioner Plateau State, Dr. Oliver Agundu and theNational Commissioner, Mohammad Haruna Kudu on Thursday, presented the certificates of return said those who are receiving the certificate have satisfied the requirement of the law.
Agundu noted that INEC put in their utmost best in ensuring free, fair and credible elections where votes of the people counted.
He presented certificate of return to 24 House of Assembly Members-Elect, among whom are 16 members elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), 7 under the APC and 1 member-elect under the platform of YPP.
The National Commissioner, Mohammad Haruna Kudu presented the certificates of return to the Governor-Elect, Caleb Mutfwang and Deputy Governor-Elect, Ngo Josephine Piyo.
Mutfwang said the presentation of the certificate of return has brought to closure the electioneering process, and thanked Plateau people who trusted them with the mandate to provide inclusive leadership in the state.
“I want to place it on record just like the INEC REC said in his opening remark and corroborated by the National Commissioner that INEC on the Plateau had acquitted itself honourably. While it is true that along the line some of the adhoc staff who tried to provide room for the process to be sabotaged in one way or the other, but the leadership of INEC on the Plateau stood it ground, following the due process of law and that is why today it has concluded the process that has led to rejoicing across the land.”
Mutfwang described the massive jubilation of Plateau people across the 17 local government areas as total reflection of the outcome of the polls, which was generally accepted and celebrated across ethnic and religious lines.
He called on his friends and brothers whom he contested the governorship election with to join hands with him in the service to Plateau people, rather than channeling their energy to litigations.
“On the Plateau, I want to say with every confidence without fear or contraction that the voice of the people have been declared. I thank Plateau people for giving us this unique opportunity to make history, we are coming in at a time that the hope and aspiration of our people is very high on us.
“We take this victory with all seriousness and by the grace of God we will not take the mandate the people have given us for granted. We will do our best to justify the confidence that has been reposed in us, when justice is done, the people rejoice” he stated.
Mutfwang assured that he will work together with Members-Elect to bequeath greatness and prosperity to Plateau people.
“I appeal to everyone on the Plateau that the elections are over, it is time for governance, I don’t want us to waste energy and time unnecessarily. From now henceforth, our focus will be on how to hit the ground running from May 29 so that the aspiration of our people will not be dash.” he stated.
