We’re aware of Okorocha’s suit, but no Certificate of Return for him —INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has maintained its ground not to present Certificate of Return to Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha as winner of Imo West senatorial district election.

INEC National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Mr Festus Okoye, stated this on the heels of Okorocha’s suit challenging the powers of INEC for not giving the certificate of return to him after it had given other politicians who emerged senators from the February 23 National Assembly election.

Okoye told reporters at a briefing on Thursday in Abuja that though the commission has always obeyed court orders, it would not issue a certificate of return to the governor.

He noted that the commission was aware that the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, who was declared as the winner of the election had gone to court because he was not presented with his certificate of return.

He however, said since the governor had taken the matter to court, that INEC would await the verdict of the court and then know the next step to take.

In a suit he filed before the Federal High Court Abuja, Okorocha prayed that INEC be compelled to issue him his certificate.

The embattled governor, who is currently under suspension by his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), over anti-party activities, contended that INEC lacked the statutory powers to withhold his certificate of return.

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But INEC said it has a valid point not to issue the certificate to the governor because its returning officer declared Okorocha as the winner “under duress”.

By Ebere Ndukwu. . .

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