Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no justification for holding his certificate of return and has asked the body to urgently present his Certificate of Return as Senator-Elect of Imo West Senatorial District.
Okorocha made the statement while addressing journalists at the government house in Owerri.
He also accused the Returning Officer, Professor Innocent Ibeabuchi, who said he announced Okorocha as winner of the election under duress, of lying.
“I cannot understand how a mere allegation of somebody, an individual, talking about duress, which has not been proven by anybody, will stop INEC from giving me my certificate of return for an election that I won properly.” the Governor said.
“I cannot understand why an individual’s report of a professor who lied, will now be taken more than the report by the Nigeria Police, State Security Service, that said there was no crisis, everything was peaceful. The returning officer should be called to order.” He added.
Although the matter is now in court, he urged INEC to release his certificate of return.
“INEC has no moral justification to release certificate of return to someone who, knowingly, flouted the Nigerian constitution and refusing to give someone his certificate, who won duly.”
INEC has however insisted that it will not issue a certificate of return to Okorocha, after the returning officer Professor Innocent Ibeabuchi, alleged that he announced the result out of duress.