The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti has presented Certificates of Return to the Governor-elect, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji and his deputy, Mrs Mojisola Afuye.
The presentation took place at the INEC headquarters in Ado – Ekiti on Wednesday.
At the occasion, Oyebanji described the implementation of the Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) as a game-changer in the nation’s electoral process and premised the Ekiti poll’s credibility on the technological advancement.
He pledged not to betray the people of the state in his service to them as he accepted the certificate alongside his deputy, Mrs. Afuye at the INEC’s office.
Speaking to the throng of party supporters and admirers, Oyebanji emphasized that God and the state’s residents were responsible for the victory and that he would zealously carry out his six-point agenda in order to usher in a new era of progress and development in Ekiti.
“Let me thank the INEC for providing a level playing ground for the contenders in this election. I can’t agree with the INEC less that the BVAS was a game changer in our election.
“Nobody ever believed what happened on Saturday could ever happen. Some people still not believed that the rigging of election was over, but Ekiti election really convinced us.
“Thanks to the security agencies and the people of the state for having trust in APC.
“The people committed such huge trust in us because of the stellar performance of Governor Kayode Fayemi, and it was that I will build on. What happened on Saturday was a referendum and validation that the APC-led government has performed,” he said.
In an effort to avoid disappointing the Ekiti people who overwhelmingly elected him, Oyebanji declared that as governor, he would work with INEC to strengthen the electoral process.
Speaking to the recipients, Dr. Adeniran Tella, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, said that the commission had to present certificates to the governor-elect and his deputy within 14 days of their election in accordance with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act.
Tella pleaded with all parties involved to work with INEC and participate in the electoral process in a way that furthers democracy.
“Let me on behalf of the commission congratulate you and your deputy for being the one chosen by the electorate. INEC is committed to deepen democracy and that influenced the introduction of BVAS, and this was a watershed in the country’s electioneering process.
“The customisation of all election materials reduced the incidences of hijack. All stakeholders, particularly the political parties and security agencies should support INEC in the introduction of technology to enhance our electoral process and reduce the number of electoral offenders”, Tella stated.
Recall that INEC had on Sunday declared Oyebanji, the governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, defeating the other 15 candidates.
In the final results released by Professor Kayode Adebowale, the Chief Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, the recently-retired secretary to the state government received 187,057 votes, defeating Chief Segun Oni, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, who received 82,211 votes.
The third-place finisher in the election was Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who received 67,457 votes.
The PDP candidate prevailed in the state’s remaining one council area, while the APC candidate won in 15 of the local government areas.
 in Ekiti has presented Certificates of Return to the Governor-elect...){kind=link}
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