The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday presented certificate of return to Governor Yahaya Bello for winning the November 16 governorship election in Kogi state.
Presenting the certificate of return to both the governor and his deputy Chief Edward Onoja, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Kogi, Kwara and Nasarawa state, Mallam Mohammed Haruna, said the election has been conducted and the winner has emerged.
He called on the people of the state to chat ways for new beginning in the interest of the state, appealing to other contestants who lost the election to join hands with the winner to move the state forward .
Responding, the governor elect, Yahaya Bello, promised to work with the police to ensure that the perpetrators of electoral violence that led to the death of some people were bought to book to serve as deterrent to others.
The governor assured that his second term would witness tremendous dividends of democracy in the areas of infrastructure and human capital development.
He said that education, health, security and provision of basic social amenities at the rural areas would be prioritised.
He commended INEC and the security agents for the successful conduct of the election in the state.
Bello was declared winner of the election on Monday by the returning officer of the election Professor Mohammed Umar of the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), having scored 406,222 votes to defeat other 23 contestants .
