The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will hold a meeting next week to take a decision on the letter written by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state challenging its powers to withhold his Certificate of
In its reaction, the INEC commissioner for information and voter education, Festus Okoye, stated that though both parties were in court over the issue, the chairman of the commission would meet with other commissioners to deliberate on the issue and decide on the next line of action.
He stated that the commission was not in any way concerned about certain comments credited to Okorocha on the issue, stressing that it would, however, not take any action outside the ambit of the law.
“The case is in court but we believe what we are doing is in accordance with the law,” Okoye added.
It will be recalled that Okorocha, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 23 Imo west senatorial election, had his certificate of return withheld after he was declared winner by the Returning Officer.
The electoral body later claimed that the declaration was made under duress.
The Governor, among other steps taken to reclaim his mandate, petitioned INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, insisting that it was unlawful for the commission to deny him a certificate of return after being returned as Senator-elect.
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