Following the conclusion of last Saturday’s governorship elections, Governors Douye Diri and Hope Uzodinma of Bayelsa State as well as Kogi State governor-elect, Usman Ododo, have received their certificates of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Diri, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in Bayelsa, and his running mate, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, were presented with their certificates of return on Friday at the state headquarters of INEC, Yenagoa.

Speaking in Bayelsa, INEC National Commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu said that the two men had fulfilled the electoral requirements set forth by the commission.

Governor Diri commended President Bola Tinubu, and expressed gratitude for non-interference in the electoral process. He also pointed out the importance of understanding the true essence of democracy for its successful implementation in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress and his running mate, Joel Salifu, received their certificates at the INEC state headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State.

In Imo state, Governor Uzodinma congratulated INEC for “conducting the freest, fairest, and most peaceful election in the history of Imo State.”