Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented certificates of return to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state and the 28-member State Assembly-elect.
Zulum and his deputy, Usman Kadafur and Assembly members were elected during the concluded Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in the state.
Presenting the return certificates, yesterday (Thursday), in Maiduguri, the INEC National Commissioner for Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states, Maj-Gen. Modibbo Alkali (rtd), said that the Commission is to serve independently, and effectively towards conducting a free, fair and credible elections in the country.
“As stakeholders, we will always abide with the 2022 Electoral Act,” he said, stating that this was to protect and sustain democracy with credible leaders at all levels.
He, therefore, congratulated the Governor and his deputy, Kadafur including the elected Assembly members.
“I enjoined you to be fair to all manners of people who gave you the mandates to serve them,” he said.
According to him, the Commission will continue to improve on the use of technology to ensure transparent, free, credible and accepted elections in the country.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ibrahim Magaji, disclosed that the presentation of certificates of return to the Political office holders followed their elections under their various political platforms including the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Responding, Zulum thanked the Commission for conducting a free and fair elections in the state.
He noted that this led the party to sweep the Governorship and State Assembly elections in the 27 Local Government Areas.
The Governor, therefore, dedicated the victory at polls to God and the good people of the state.
He said the people gave him the mandate to serve them for the second term in office.
“I pledged not to disappoint you in the course of discharging my responsibilities of delivering the dividends of democracy for the next four years,” he said.
Zulum also extended an olive branch to all his opponents by joining hands with his administration to improve the living conditions of people.
According to him, during his second term in office, the administration will focus on delivery of services in the health, education, security and job creation sectors of the economy.
He added that Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, including the repatriation of refugees from Niger, Cameroon and Chad will be implemented in the second term of office.
