Date: 2019-03-28

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Kwara State has presented Certificates of Return to the Governor-elect, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, and 23 members-elect of the State House of Assembly.

The presentation, which took place at INEC headquarters in Ilorin on Wednesday, was performed by INEC National Commissioner, Malam Mohammed Haruna.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Malam Garba Attahiru-Madami, told journalists that the certificate of member-elect from Ilorin South Constituency could not be issued to him because of litigation.

Attahiru-Madami, however, explained that when the legal issue has been cleared, he would receive his certificate next week.

Earlier in his address, Haruna described the general election in Kwara State as a big lesson that the only thing permanent in life is change.

The National Commissioner commended the graceful manner in which those who lost the election led by the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, accepted their defeat.

He advised the Governor-elect and his team to consolidate on the achievements of the past government, listen to critics and yearnings of the masses to build a great Kwara State.

Abdulrasaq appreciated the efforts of INEC, security agencies and the people of Kwara State for their support in ensuring that the election was free and fair.

Abdulrasaq promised to extend a hand of fellowship to opposition parties that are willing to work in honesty with the new administration.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the presentation of the certificate to the Governor-elect, Deputy Governor-elect and the Assembly members-elect were witnessed by heads of security agencies in the state.

The ceremony was also witnessed by All Progressives Congress chieftains, chairmen of some political parties and hundreds of party supporters.