Anambra: INEC Presents Certificate Of Return To Obiano

FEDERAL COMMISSIONER OF INEC IN CHARGE OF ANAMBRA, ABIA AND BENUE, CHIEF LAWRENCE NWURUKU (L), PRESENTING CERTIFICATE OF RETURN TO ANAMBRA GOVERNOR-ELECT, CHIEF WILLIE OBIANO (2ND-R), IN AWKA ON MONDAY (2/12/13). WITH THEM ARE GOV. PETER OBI (2ND-L) AND THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF APGA, CHIEF VICTOR UMEH (R).
FEDERAL COMMISSIONER OF INEC IN CHARGE OF ANAMBRA, ABIA AND BENUE, CHIEF LAWRENCE NWURUKU (L), PRESENTING CERTIFICATE OF RETURN TO ANAMBRA GOVERNOR-ELECT, CHIEF WILLIE OBIANO (2ND-R), IN AWKA ON MONDAY (2/12/13). WITH THEM ARE GOV. PETER OBI (2ND-L) AND THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF APGA, CHIEF VICTOR UMEH (R).

Chief Willie Obiano, the Anambra Governor-elect, on Monday received Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Awka.

Obiano, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), won the Nov. 16 and Nov. 30 supplementary polls with a total vote of 180,178.

He defeated Mr Tony Nwonye of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Sen. Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 97,700 and 95,963 to emerge second and third places respectively.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukogwu, thanked the people of Anambra for their peaceful conduct during the polls and prayed for God’s continued blessing for the state.

A National Commissioner in INEC in-charge of Abia, Anambra and Benue, Mr Lawrence Nwuruku, while issuing the certificate, said Anambra was a lucky state as it had one of the best elections in recent times.

“On behalf of the INEC chairman, I hand over this certificate of return to the governor-elect of Anambra, Chief Willie Obiano,” he said.

The governor-elect, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Eberechukwu Obiano; deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, said it was a call to duty and promised not to betray the trust reposed in him.

He called on the people and the parties who contested with him in the election to cooperate in the task of building the state.

Obiano also thanked President Goodluck Jonathan and security agencies who assisted in ensuring a free and fair poll.

“I call on those who contested with me to join us as we work towards a greater Anambra; the days of fighting are over,” he said.

Chief Victor Umeh, National Chairman of APGA, commended INEC for a job well done and urged it not to be deterred by criticisms.

Other dignitaries at the programme included Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra and Igwe Christopher Idigo of Aguleri Kingdom, where Obiano hailed from.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that after receiving the certificate, Obiano, Umeh and other party stalwarts moved to Nnewi, the home town of late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, where the victory was dedicated to his memory at his cenotaph.

Obiano pledged to continue to “let the light which the party leader ignited to shine”.

(NAN)