The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a Certificate of Return to the Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, following his re-election on November 8.
INEC also issued a Certificate of Return to his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim.
The certificates were presented to them by the supervising INEC National Commissioner in charge of the Anambra State election, Kenneth Ukeagu, in Akwa, the State capital, on Tuesday.
This came two days after Soludo and his deputy were declared winners of the poll by the electoral body.
Ukeagu said the presentation marked the end of the democratic process, as a symbol of the trust and confidence the people of Anambra have reposed in the governor.
He urged Soludo to continue with impactful leadership.
He said Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates the INEC to issue a certificate of return within 14 days to every candidate who has been duly returned by the returning officer under the Act.
“In compliance with this statutory provision, I have the honour and privilege, in my capacity as the Supervising National Electoral Commissioner of the Anambra State governorship election, to present the certificates of return to the Governor and the Deputy Governor-elect, who emerged victorious in the just-concluded governorship election,” he said.
Soludo, who was accompanied by his wife, Nonye, and his children, commended INEC for the conduct of the election.
He also thanked his residents and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for their support.
The governor said with the renewed mandate, Anambra State would experience accelerated development across all sectors.