Rerun: INEC issues Certificate of Return to Miriam Onuoha

The Independent National Electoral Commission has issued Certificate of Return to Princess Miriam Onuoha of the All Progressives Congress, winner of the Okigwe North Federal Constituency rerun election in Imo State.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the certificate was presented by INEC’s National Commissioner, Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Onuoha, speaking with newsmen shortly after the ceremony, dedicated her election to the people of her constituency and God Almighty, who made it possible.
She, however, said she received the certificate with mixed feeling because of the killing that happened shortly after she was declared winner in the election judged to be free and fair, following techniques deployed by INEC to prevent rigging and violence.
She said: “This election was a test run and it became a testament to the fact that when there is a will to execute a properly planned election, it is possible.
“It is a bitter tastes that after this wholesome and landslide victory, one of my strongest supporters was killed.
“What is topmost on my mind right now is the feeling of pain that I cannot explain.”
Onuoha described the incident as a clarion call and a wake-up call to everybody, especially VIPs, and all being attached with armed security personnel, to be mindful of the actions and activities of their attached security details to make sure that they play by rules of engagement.
She said: “There should be no indiscriminate or sporadic shooting, even in places of crowd.
“There are laid down strategies to control crowd.
“You have teargas, you have pepper spray, stun gun.
“I think the use of gun is like the last resort so that the lives of the people we are meant to protect are not put into danger.”
Onuoha commended the police for taking immediate action by arresting the officer who was suspected to have killed the victim, and commencing investigation, adding: “I believe that the true cause of that killing will be exposed and justice would be served.”
Onuaha, however, promised proper representation for her constituency, saying the people of Okigwe North were in dire need for quality representation.
She said: “We are going to experience robust engagement with critical stakeholders that will usher in the best time for us in terms of developments, quality bills, participation in the house.
“Proper representation that will usher in inclusive governance ranging from participatory constituency projects in accordance with the earnings and aspirations of my people.”
On the demand for review of the Electoral Act, Onuaha promised to give her support to the process.
She said: “Like I said earlier, the last election, which brought about my victory, I saw INEC deploying some new and innovative tactics, methods and procedures to prevent some of unwholesome practices.
“I think it paid off.
“Those are some of the things that could be looked into.
“At my inauguration into the House, you will see me playing active roles in the areas of such debates when it comes up on the floor.
“You know it is a multi-faceted approach.
“It is not cast in stone.
“As events and time unfold, we will attack it critically considering the best interest of our people and in line with electoral best practices worldwide.”
The APC National Organising Secretary, Emmanuel Ibediro, who witnessed the ceremony, congratulated Onuaha on her victory at the poll.
Ibediro said he was part of the success story as Onuaha was not just a member of the APC, but going to represent his constituency.
He said he was happy Onuaha won the election.
He said: “It shows that the people believe in the APC and its leaders as well as President Muhammadu Buhari and his programmes.
“The election is an endorsement that our people have fully accepted the APC as a party to be and a party for the future.”
Ibediro advised Onuaha to keep the spirit alive by fulfilling her campaign promises to the electorate.