By Emmanuel Elebeke

A coalition of  Independent  National Electoral Commission, INEC, accredited domestic observer groups in Akwa Ibom State has commended the peaceful conduct of elections in the state, particularly the gubernatorial poll  held on April 26.

It also called on  aggrieved candidates and their parties in the elections to pursue their cases  within the ambit of the rule of law, even as it commended its members for their courage in doing a thorough job.

The group, however, advised the winner of the election to be magnanimous in victory by extending olive branch to all interest groups.

Speaking at a post-election briefing organized by the group in Lagos,  the chairman of the group, Otunba  Sanusi, said the coalition generally observed that all the elections conducted in Akwa Ibom  were carried out under a free and fair atmosphere and as such should not warrant any rancour and acrimony.

Though  the group said it observed isolated cases of violation of electoral procedures in two local government areas, which culminated into cancellation of results in the affected places, the chairman said that was not enough reason to warrant the breakdown of law and order and litigation at the tribunal, since the elections were   largely adjudged to be peaceful, credible and transparent by both local and international observer groups.