By Aplefe Ojong
The Cross River State Governor-Elect, Senator Ben. Ayade and nine other persons have received their Certificates of Return from the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, Barrister Thelma Iremiren at the state INEC headquarters, Calabar on Tuesday.
Nine others who were present and received their certificates of Return were the eight elected House of Representatives members from Cross River State and the Senator- Elect representing the southern senatorial district of the state, Chief Gershom Bassey, while the senators- elect for the central and northern senatorial district, Hon John Owan Enoh and Hon Rose Oko were conspicuously absent.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Akwa-Ibom, Cross River and Rivers States, Mrs. Thelma Iremiren, explained that the Commission does not issue certificate of return in proxy, and that the certificates of the two senators-elect cannot be given to any other persons outside the owners.
She explained that the certificates of Hon. Enoh and Hon. Oko would be returned to Abuja where they would be expected to go and get them.
The governor-elect, Sen. Ben Ayade alongside his deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, and eight others were presented their certificates of return amidst high ovation inside the Mike Igini auditorium. No excuse was given on behalf of the two absentee senators-elect.
The eight House of Representatives-Elect include Hon Essien Ayi for Calabar SouthAkpabuyo/Bakassi Federal constituency; Hon Etta Mbora for Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal constituency; Hon Daniel Asuquo for Akamkpa/Biase Federal constituency and Hon. Bassey Ewa for Yakurr /Abi Federal constituency.
Others were, Mr. Mike Etaba for Obubra/Etung Federal constituency; Mr. Chris Agibe for Ikom/Boki Federal constituency; Mr. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe for Ogoja/Yala Federal constituency and Barrister Legor Idagbo for Obudu/Obanlikwu/Bekwarra Federal consistency.