INEC Takes Decision On Okorocha’s Certificate Of Return

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed it would meet next week to decide on the letter written by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State challenging its powers to withhold his Certificate of Return.

Naija News recalls that Okorocha, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the February 23 Imo West Senatorial election, had his certificate of return withheld after the Presiding Officer had declared him the winner of the election.

The electoral commission later claimed the declaration was made under duress.

The governor, amongst other moves to reclaim his mandate, wrote the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, insisting it was unlawful for the Commission to deny him a certificate of return as senator-elect.

Reacting, INEC commissioner for information and voter education, Festus Okoye, said though both parties were in court over the issue, the commission’s chairman would meet with commissioners to deliberate on the issue and decide on the next line of action.

“INEC chairman will meet next week with Commissioners to deliberate on the latest letter written by Okorocha and take a look at the issue again. Both parties are in court, but the INEC chairman is outside the country and most of the commissioners are on duty,” Okoye said.

He stated that the commission was not concerned about comments attributed to Okorcha on the issue, stressing that it would, however, not take any action that is outside the law.

“The case is in court but we believe what we are doing is in accordance with the law,” Okoye added.