17th July, 2012
INEC presents Oshiomhole with certificate of return
JETHRO IBILEKE, Benin
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has received the certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as confirmation of his victory in the July 14 gubernatorial election in the State.
The certificate was presented to him by National Commissioner of INEC, Colonel Mohammed Hammanga (rtd.) on behalf of the Commission.
While receiving the certificate, an elated Governor Oshiomhole said: “I promise that I understand the import of this certificate. It means a return to work, to deliver to our people dividend of democracy and improving the lives of the vast majority of our people.”
He reiterated his earlier promise to assist families of the late policemen and INEC ah-hoc staff who died in course of Saturday election by providing for their upkeep “By next week, the state government would provide to the family something. Money cannot compensate for live. The gesture is just to show that their death was a sacrifice for sustenance of democracy.”
Speaking to journalists shortly after he was presented with the certificate, Governor Oshiomhole apologized to those he may have offended in the course of the election and called on the opponents to join hands with him to move the state forward.
In particular, the governor commended the people of Edo South for the massive support they showed through their votes, adding that he got more votes from the South than his own senatorial district.
The ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m did not take place until about 6.30 pm as a result of the Governor’s delayed arrival from Abuja where he had travelled on Monday.
The presentation ceremony however turned to be a carnival as many members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and supporters of the governor came to witness the ceremony.
The situation created heavy traffic jam on the busy Benin/Auchi and Benin/Agbor Roads for more than three hours.