Wilson Adekumola
The Independent National Electoral Commission, hasissued certificate of return to 23 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly elected during the just concluded general election.
The presentation ceremony was held at the Prof Mahmood Yakubu Media Centre, INEC office in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Supporters and family members of the elected lawmakers were on ground to grace the occasion.
In his opening address, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr. Emmanuel Alex Hart said he took some pains to scan through the members-elect only to realize that the female gender are just a handful.
He wondered why the women are not giving equal representation, noting that he was not advocating for the women but only stating how it ought to have be done.
He said, “It is possible to do that. Let’s give them equal opportunity to represent us. They are our mothers, they are our sisters. We need them in every facet of the society. So, as you go back, think about it.
“You have won, in a couple of minutes you will get your certificate of return. That will tell the whole world that you are an elected member of the House of Assembly. But do not forget your constituents in your constituencies. They made it possible for you to be here today. You don’t get back and forget about them; that will be too bad.
“Remember the game is not over till it is over, this is just one phase, tomorrow you might wish to go higher and you will need their cooperation. But from the way you treated them, even though they won’t tell you right in the face, they will tell their selves the first one we did, what happened and that will be too bad for you”, Hart advised.
Also, the administrative secretary of INEC, Engr Okop Umobong commended the people of Bayelsa State for the success recorded during the election, adding that it would not have been possible without the people’s desire to have a successful election.
“Even as we look forward to the two constituency elections, the supplementary elections that are coming on the April 15, 2023, we know that election will be successful as well”, he said.