The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will only issue Certificate of Return to the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha if directed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
INEC’s Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye made the disclosure during a press conference in Abuja, yesterday.
The INEC Returning Officer for Imo West senatorial election, Francis Ibeawuchi, had declared Okorocha winner of the election.
Ibeawuchi, however, recanted his initial announcement, saying because the declaration was made under duress.
Against this backdrop, INEC declined to issue Okorocha a certificate of return.
Following this development, Okorocha dragged the electoral umpire before a Federal High court in Abuja.
Reacting to the development, Okoye said: “The position of the commission has not changed. The position of the commission is that we will not issue certificate of return to Governor Rochas Okorocha in relation to the senatorial election.
“Since the matter is already in court, the best thing to do is not to prejudge the matter that is in
“If at the end of the day, the court gives an order that we should give him his certificate of return, of course, the commission will obey such a court order.
“If on the other hand, the court takes a different position and makes other consequential orders in relation to the conduct of the elections in Imo West, we will also comply with whatever order the court gives.
“As of today, the matter is pending in court, the best thing to do is to wait for the outcome of the judicial process.”