The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reply Rochas Okorocha of the issued of not issuing him a certificate of return.
Speaking in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Festus Okoye, INEC’s Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, said that certificate of returned is only issue to those who won election in a free and fair atmosphere.
INEC had refused to issue the certificate of return to Rocha’s as a result of allegation that he was declared winner of Imo West senatorial district “under duress”.
According to Okoye, Okorocha and three others so affected would not be issued certificates of return unless a court decides otherwise.
According to him the commission’s decision “does not amount to shifting goal post at the middle of a match”.
Further more: “Issuance of certificates of return is a statutory function of INEC; it is only issued to those who won election and must be done through the free will of a returning officer.
“In the case of Imo West senatorial district, where Okorocha contested, the Otu-Opi Federal Constituency in Benue, Agayi State Constituency and another in Akwa Ibom; what INEC is saying is that you can’t engage in bad electoral behaviour and expect INEC to reward you with a certificate. Our certificate is only for those who won freely.
“Once we have such case, INEC will not issue certificate, but ensure that the right thing is done.
He end his speech by saying that INEC will only comply if the cases instituted against the commission by the affected candidates on the matter decided otherwise.
Source: sahara reporters
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