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•Okowa, Tukur congratulates
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, presented certificates of return to Adamawa State Governor-elect, Ahmadu Fintiri, and several senators and House of Representatives-elect in Abuja.
While the commission presented the certificates to the legislators-elect comprising Senate and House Majority leaders, in the early hours of Wednesday, the Adamawa governor got his certificate in the evening, just as the governor of Sokoto State and Senator-elect, Aminu Tambuwa, was conspicuously missing.
Some of the lawmakers-elect in an interview with newsmen described their emergence as victory for democracy.
Speaking after receiving his certificate, Governor Fintiri apologised for the show of shame in his state and commended Nigerians and the international community for their solidarity.
“This is a great memorable for my life and the lives of Nigerians. It is unfortunate that we have to go through all these to arrive at this moment today. It would have been done and dusted since March 18 but unfortunately the attitude of some people and the desperation of some politicians made it to linger till today.Thank God that INEC, headed by a very wonderful and excellent personnel, has redeemed the image battered by the so-called REC Adamawa and we Nigerians has course to celebrate the victory of democracy because all of us are winners. And going forward, we will have to learn from this so that together as stakeholders we will continue to build on our democracy to grow.”
Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Wednesday congratulated Fintiri on his re-election.
Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, described Fintiri’s re-election as a hard -earned and deserved victory.
He commended Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithful and the people of Adamawa for standing firm with the governor and the party all the way.
The governor also lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for saving what would have been a “rape of democracy”.
Okowa deplored the action of the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa, Mr Hudu Yunusa-Ari , before the final announcement of the results, saying that he and his cohorts represented anti-democracy forces.
Also, elder statesman and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has congratulated
Governor Umaru Fintiri on his re- election.
In a statement by Chief Oliver Okpala, his media adviser, Tukur said the tension soaked events leading the Fintiri’s triumph are all indications that democracy was alive and growing in the country.
Tukur acknowledges that it was a hard won victory for Governor Fintiri, the people of Adamawa State and Nigerians in general.
He also commended INEC for rising to the occasion and advised both the winners and losers to work together for a greater and more stable Adamawa state.
Tukur urged Governor Fintiri to remain focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
“And I call on Governor Fintiri to remain focused and continue to justify the mandate of the people of Adamawa State. Carry everyone along, be a leader and father to all , close rank with even your opponents, you have a state to lead in peace and not scores to settle with anybody,” he said.
