Governor-elect Umar Bago of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger has received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

INEC declared Mr Bago the winner of the governorship election in Niger held on March 18.

On Thursday, Deputy Governor-elect Yakubu Garba and 27 state assembly members-elect also received their certificates of return in Minna.

Mr Bago, in his acceptance speech, said his administration would tackle insecurity and youth restiveness to ensure rapid development of the state.

“We will not rest until Niger state becomes a development model,” stated the governor-elect.

The governor-elect assured the people of the state that they would be given equal opportunities to discover their talents and contribute to the state’s development.

Also presenting the certificates to the politicians who won the election on the platform of various political parties, Ahmed Garki, INEC resident electoral commissioner, urged them to be magnanimous in victory.

Mr Garki added that the measure would help the state’s development.

Similarly, Mohammed Adams, INEC national commissioner in charge of Niger, Kogi and Kwara, who also presented certificates to some politicians, said the governorship and state assembly elections were free, fair, credible and transparent.

“It is a good moment for our country because democracy is being entrenched. We pray that the governor-elect, his deputy and house of assembly members-elect will serve the people,” Mr Adams explained.

(NAN)