Kudos To INEC Over Certificates Of Returns

The state chairman of the
People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Brother Felix Obuah has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for issuing certificate of returns to its candidates who won the re run elections.
He described the move as a welcome development, saying however that the delay to issue the certificates was regrettable.
INEC is expected to release results and issue certificate of return after seven days as stipulated in the Electoral Act without any compromise.
Obuah called on INEC to urgently reschedule re run in the cancelled areas and conclude all processes required in the election in Rivers State.
Similarly, the Rivers State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has praised the electoral body for the move.
The State Chairman of SDP, Engr Joshua Worlu who stated this in an interview with The Tide noted that the exercise came a bit late.
He urged the electoral body to continue to be fair in all its activities even as he warned politicians to stop seeking powers and political offices by all means.
The SDP boss said the INEC should not be blamed of the violence that characterised the 19th March re run election in the state, stressing that the bulk of the blame should go to politicians who wants to win at all cost.
‘’INEC is to ensure that it conduct a free, fair election while the politicians should adhere to the rules lay down by the law’’, he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, last Friday, presented certificates of return to candidates who were declared winners in the last March 19th re run elections in Rivers State.
The Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak who presented the certificates to the candidates said the re run election was marred by violence and wide malpractices, noting that there were places where Returning Officers and INEC officers were held hostage and made to declare results under duress.
He used the opportunity to express reservation some candidates who were declared winners, stressing that some of them did not meet the criteria but the law said the majority should be declared winner by the accredited returning officer.
He however said the House of representatives candidates will receive their certificate in Abuja.
Eleven House of Assembly candidates were issued certificate of returns, out of which 9 are Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 2 All Progressive Congress (APC).
They are Messrs Martins Mina, Edison Nwole, Major Jack, Benibo  Anagbraba, Samuel Oge and martins Amawhule. Others are Micheal Oke Chinda,Kelechi Worgu,christain Ahiakwo, Andrew Mila and Tonye Smart.