Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel and Moses Ekpo, the deputy governor on Thursday, March 28, received Certificates of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The duo who were re-elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP during the March 9 Governorship election collected their certificates from Mike Igini, the Akwa Ibom resident electoral commissioner at INEC headquarters along Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
Emmanuel and Ekpo were earlier elected in 2015 for a four-year mandate which will expire on May 28, 2019.
In addition, the 25 members-elect of the yet-to-be inaugurated seventh Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly equally collected their certificates of return.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Mike Igini, explained that the election results of the Essien Udim Local Government were signed under duress, adding that INEC at the national level would handle the issue of the House member.
Igini said, “Reports from collation officers sent to the area stated that election results of Essien Udim local Government were signed under duress.
“The commission at the national level would handle the issue of the council area. As an umpire, we have been given the opportunity to serve the people and our fatherland in the just concluded general election, and that we have done.”
Governor Emmanuel who spoke on behalf of other recipients commended the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, INEC staff and ad hoc staff, and the security agencies for their effort to ensure credible and peaceful elections.
