By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Governorship candidate in the Nov. 6 election in Anambra, on Friday received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the state Governor-Elect.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the INEC National Commissioner Supervising Anambra, Mr Festus Okoye, presented the certificate to Soludo in Awka.

NAN reports that the Deputy Governor-Elect, Dr Onyeka Ibezim, also received his Certificate of Return at same the event.

In his remarks, Soludo promised not to disappoint the people of the state who gave him the support and mandate in the Nov. 6 Governorship election.

According to him, the efforts and sacrifice of people of Anambra will not be in vain, as I will justify the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state.

“Initially, there were tensed moments, but this election happened in a unique way and we dedicate this victory to God and the people of Anambra who believed and gave us their mandate.

“We will never take for granted the resilience, commitments and actions of the various federal institutions that worked so hard to see us to this day,’’ he assured them.

Soludo commended the Presidency, security agencies and INEC for insisting on a level playing field as well as the judiciary for standing on the path of integrity.

“I believe that a sound and credible electoral system is foundational to having an accountable, responsive and developmental state.

“So, I believe that INEC is getting better by the day.

“I also believe that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation system (BVAS) deployed, if refined, will give us that desired Eldorado in our electoral system,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Dr Nwachukwu Orji, INEC Resident Commissioner in Anambra, said the commission had done its best to deliver credible election and also promoted the image of INEC.

Orji, represented by Mr Chima Duruaku, the Administrative Secretary of INEC, commended people of Anambra for the maturity displayed before, during and after the election.

“The calming of the storm that was raging very hard was divine and on human level, the commission was resolute to put in a lot of sacrifice, efforts and innovation to deliver.

“The support of the security agencies, the National Youth Service Corps and the military contributed to the success that we celebrate today.

“We also commended the peaceful conduct of political parties in spite of the doomsday prediction and the singular resolve by the Anambra people that the election must be done,’’ he said.

Okoye said the ceremony signified that the governor and deputy governor-elect won the Nov.6 governorship election in Anambra.

He promised that the commission would audit the conduct of the election and utilised the lessons to improve on the next set of elections.

Okoye appreciated the security agencies, NYSC and the media for their support as well as the people of Anambra for their firm believe in democracy and for guarding their votes through vigilance and mandate protection.

NAN reports that Soludo polled a total of 112, 229 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 53, 807 to emerge second.

(NAN)