SEYI MAKINDE, BAYO LAWAL AND 32 ELECTED OYO LAWMAKERS RECEIVE CERTIFICATE OF RETURN FROM INEC

The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde and his deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, have received their Certificates of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

Accompanied by their wives, the Governor and his deputy were presented their Certificates of Return today in line with section 72 (1) of the Electoral Act by the Oyo state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Adeniran AbdulRamon Tella, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

The Speaker, Oyo state House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, alongside other 31 winners of the state assembly election were all presented their certificates of Return.

Makinde emerged winner of the just concluded governorship election having won in 31 out of the 33 local government areas of the state.

Makinde scored 563,756 to defeat the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Teslim Folarin, who got 256,685 votes and Accord Party candidate, Adebayo Adelabu, with 38,357 votes.

Makinde is the second governor to win re-election in Oyo state after the late Abiola Ajimobi.

In a welcome address, Oyo state Residents Electoral Commissioner, INEC, Dr Adeniran Tella while appreciating relevant stakeholders for their support before, during and after the general elections, appealed to the elected Leaders to use their renewed mandate to reawaken the confidence of the electorates on their voting exercise.

Dr Tella said the use of technology for the 2023 polls added value to the improved electoral process, calling for the support of the political class to help the commission conduct better exercise in coming elections.

The National Electoral Commissioner in charge of Oyo, Lagos, and Ekiti state, Mr Sam Olumekun , in his keynote address said the people of Oyo state spoke very loudly at the polls.

He expressed his joy at the Commission’s ability to surmount all the odds that preceded the just concluded general elections assuring that the electoral process can only continue to get better while being guided by extant and relevant laws in the conduct of elections in the country.

In his acceptance speech, Engr SEYI MAKINDE appreciated INEC for deepening the electoral process with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) which according to him has further improved the credibility of elections in the country.

While reaffirming his avowed commitment towards taking Oyo state to greater heights in terms of meeting the expectations of the electorates who overwhelmingly handed him another four year mandate, Makinde assured that his administration will leave no stone unturned in ensuring Oyo state people get due value for their votes.

The ceremony also had in attendance Olubadan in council, the Christian Association Of Nigeria, Chief Imam Of Ibadan, Chief Imam Abdulganiy Agbotomokekere, former and present National Assembly Lawmakers.