INEC issues certificates of return to Imo APC lawmakers-elect

23 Lawmakers-elect from the All Progressives Congress of the Imo State House of Assembly received Certificates of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday.

The APC state chairman MacDonald Ebere, his predecessor Marcon Nlemigbo, the chief of staff to the state governor Nnamdi Anyaehie, as well as other state government functionaries, APC chieftains, and supporters attended the event, which was held at the INEC state secretariat in Owerri.

Jude Okwuonu, INEC’s administrative secretary in the state, expressed the commission’s gratitude to all parties who helped the electoral umpire conduct the poll in the state.

According to the Electoral Act, he explained, the commission must provide certificates of return to individuals who were chosen by their constituents within 14 days of the results being announced.

There was no mention of the remaining four state constituencies, Ahiazu Mbaise, Isu, Ideato North, and Ideato South State Constituencies, even though 23 lawmakers-elect received Certificates of Return.

No member of the commission consented to comment when asked about the process through which the four state constituencies were spared from having to show their certificates of return.

Innocent Ikpamezie, the newly elected legislator for the Mbaitoli LGA, told journalists that he was eager to give his residents the benefits of democracy.

In addition to revealing that he won in 11 of the LGA’s 12 electoral wards, he claimed that the election that brought him to office was fair and credible.

Uche Agbiga, Dominic Ezerioha, and Uzoma Osuoha, the lawmakers-elect for Orsu, Ohaji Egbema LGA, and Oru West, respectively, stated that they were eager to bring the benefits of democracy to their constituents.

They asked their rivals who had filed election petitions with tribunals to withdraw their claims and work with them to advance their LGAs.