INEC TO APPEAL JUDGEMENT ON OKOROCHA’S CERTIFICATE OF RETURN

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will appeal the judgment directing it to issue a Certificate of Return to former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

The Electoral body disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The statement said the commission issued the Certificate to Okorocha in compliance with an Abuja Federal High Court that directed it to do so, adding that the issuance of the certificate demonstrated its commitment to obeying court judgment, including those it might have reservations about.

INEC said the decision was reached on Tuesday after the commission met and considered 14 Memoranda involving judgments and orders in pre-election matters relating to the issuance of certificates and or withdrawal of certificates already issued in pre-election matters.

The commission, however, said it must put on record its profound concerns about the likely consequences of the judgment on Okorocha for the nation’s electoral process in particular and democracy in general

Okorocha, who commended INEC for issuing him the certificate, said he saw it as God’s time.

He commended the judiciary for doing the needful and for being there at the needed time as well as serve as the last resort for the common citizens or anybody that felt oppressed.

Okorocha was denied entry in the Senate on Thursday when other senators-elect were inaugurated and the President of the Senate and his deputy elected.