He however advised those who emerged victorious to be magnanimous in victory and extend the hands of fellowship to their opponents. Presenting the certificates of return to the winners, the INEC National Commissioner, Mrs. Thelma Iremiren reminded them that there was a lot of ground to cover and expectation high.
Despite protests and violence, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Barrister Austine Eni Okojie, has said that he cannot reverse the results of the April 11th, 2015 governorship and house of assembly elections as announced by the commission.
He made his position on the conducted of the general elections in the state known Thursday night at the presentation of certificates of return to elected candidates of the 2015 general elections in the state held at the State INEC office, Uyo Akwa Ibom State capital.
The REC said those who are aggrieved over the results released by the commission should approach the tribunal to seek redress.
“Section 75 sub 1 of the electoral act 2010 as amended empowered the commission to issue a sealed certificate of returns of an election in a prescribed form within seven days to every candidate who won an election under this act.
“The essence of section 75 sub 1 of the electoral act 2010 as amended is to validate and give legal approval to the declaration of the candidate by the electoral umpire winner of the said election.
“Another justification for the issuance of certificate of return is to forestall a situation where two or more person will claim to be winner of the said election.
“The implication is that once the election is conducted and the result is declared the commission becomes fonctus officio.
“This is the same spirit with section 68 sub 1c of the electoral act 2010 as amended which provided that a declaration as made if a candidate is returned by the returning officer, it is only the tribunal or court of law that can upturn the decision.
“In the light of the above, I urge all those who participated in the conduct of the election and they are not satisfied with the outcome to please follow the part of honor and act in accordance with the provision of law by approaching the tribunal”, he maintained.
He however advised those who emerged victorious to be magnanimous in victory and extend the hands of fellowship to their opponents.
Presenting the certificates of return to the winners, the INEC National Commissioner, Mrs. Thelma Iremiren reminded them that there was a lot of ground to cover and expectation high.
Iremirn who is in-charge of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States said since leadership comes with a lot of responsibility they should not forget to fulfil their campaign promises.
Responding on behalf of the elected members in the state, the Governor-elect, Udom Emmanuel lauded INEC officials who worked assiduously to ensure peace and credible governorship and house of assembly polls in the state.
“We have accepted this certificate of returns from INEC as an undisputed and uncontroversial mantle and symbol of victory at April 11 election”, he said.
He called on those who lost the election to learn from the exemplary way of President Goodluck Jonathan who accept defeat even before the official result was announced.
“We are also waiting for those that we defeated in the state to also show that spirit of sportsmanship and be good losers and come out straight with a sound message of congratulation for coming out victories in such keenly contested elections.
“As I therefore receive this mantle to prosecute he divine mandate for Akwa Ibom State I want to really assure all of us that we will work together as a team”, he said.