…SUSWAM, AKUME, OTHERS TOO

The National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in-charge of Benue, Ebonyi and Abia states, Mr. Philip Umeadi has lamented that the just concluded elections were still marred by irregularities.

The commission should not bask so much in the euphoria of conducting an election adjudged to be credible, regretting that the just concluded elections was still marred by irregularities.

Umeadi, who said this while presenting Certificates of Return to all elected politicians in the state at the INEC headquarters, Makurdi, said that the malpractices insulted the nation's sensibilities

He insisted that the commission did not conduct the elections alone, as other stakeholders should also share the blame in its failure and urged them to ensure a more credible election next time.

The INEC commissioner also advised the elected politicians to appreciate the demand of their offices by ensuring that they offered effective and efficient representation to the people.

Earlier, the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Nasir Ayilara said the commission strived hard to restore the confidence of the electorate in the electoral process by conducting a transparent election that has been adjudged free and fair by international and domestic observers. He commended the support of the political leaders and the corps members for their patriotic spirit.

Amongst those presented certificates by Mr. Umeadi include Senate President David Mark, Governor Gabriel Suswam, all House of Representatives members and 28 members of the House of Assembly.

Former governor of the state and Senator representing Benue North-west District, Dr. George Akume was conspicuously absent at the event. One Chief Emmanuel Viashima who is said to be his Special Assistant attempted to collect certificate on his behalf but was turned back by INEC officials, who told him that certificates were not presented by proxy.