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Politicians in
Cross River State who won election into the National Assembly and the
state House of Assembly were yesterday presented with certificates of
return at an elaborate ceremony organised by the Independent National
Elelctoral Commission (INEC) in Mangel Hotel in Calabar.

Re-elected senate
deputy leader, Victor Ndoma Egba led 35 others to receive their
certificates of return. Each of the legislators-elect had in two
personal aides and supporters who made the venue come alive with their
praise singing.

Those to join him
at the Senate who also got their certificates were: Ben Ayade (Cross
River North) and Bassey Edet Otu (Cross River South). Those for the
House of Representatives include: Francis Busam Adah, Rose Oko, Chris
Ettah, John Owan Enoh, Bassey Ewah, Daniel Asuquo, Nkoyo Toyo and
Essien Ayi.

All the 25 members
elected into the Cross River State House of Assembly also got their
certificates. The certificates were handed over by Thelma Iremiren,
INEC national commissioner who represented the chairman of the
commission, Attahiru Jega. On hand to assist her was a legal adviser
from the commission and the state resident electoral commissioner, Mike
Igini.

Mr Igini in his
speech commended the people of Cross River State. “Although there were
problems in isolated places, these problems arose from overzealous
supporters than from key political actors themselves, and thus on that
note, I must commend the political groups in Cross River State for the
maturity they showed in electioneering. It goes to show that a
competitive political process need not necessarily be adversarial.” Mr
Igini said

Mistakes as lessons

Mr Igini advised
them to make their tenure memorable by doing those things that will
impact positively on the lives of the people, stressing that whatever
he did before and during the elections was to ensure transparency and
also “to ensure that the trust which the public reposes on us as public
servants is not betrayed.”

He acknowledged
that the exercise had its imperfections but promised to use “the useful
lessons learned to improve on these imperfections well in time for the
next elections. We also hope that the public and other stakeholders
will learn from the lessons of these elections to develop the process
for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.

“As for those who
flouted the electoral laws during the registration and voting process,
I can assure the general public that unlike previously, the full weight
of the judiciary will be brought down on them, and the lessons they
will learn from the consequences of their misdeeds will form useful
touchstones for strengthening an enduring political culture in
Nigeria,” he said.

The Senate deputy
leader elected for a third term and who spoke on behalf of others,
commended INEC for conducting free and fair elections to the admiration
of the international community. He stressed that the success of the
exercise will make Nigeria stand tall in the comity of nations.