Breaking: Few Hours After Inauguration, INEC Issues Okorocha Certificate Of Return

Barely few hours after the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has bowed to the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja directing it to issue the former Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, his certificate of eturn as winner of the Imo West senatorial district election.

Okorocha who collected the certificate at exactly 6.40pm on Tuesday told newsmen shortly after the collection of the certificate at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, that he was called upon at exactly 6.14 pm that his certificate was ready.

“At exactly 6.14 pm, this evening, after the inauguration of the 9th assembly, I was invited that my certificate is ready and I have just come to collect it.

“I take it to be God’s time. I have always believe that justice delayed is justice denied.”

Okorocha commended the judiciary for doing the needful and for being there at right time as well as serve as the last resort for the common citizens or the oppressed.

“I also want to thank INEC for taking this bold step against all odds by issuing my certificate of return, which go along way to confirm that the allegation of duress is not founded by a delay tactic by my detractors to have slow down the process.

“I believe this is God’s time and I take it as God’s time. I am happy that finally the matter is resolved.

Asked of his feeling about not being able to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the 9th assembly and the voting process that produced the leadership of the 9th Senate, Okorocha said that he would have loved to be in attendance of the inauguration.

“Otherwise I missed because I don’t have a certificate. Now that I have the certificate, I have opportunity to join my colleagues to see how to move Nigeria forward. “

On his impression about the All Progressives Congress (APC ), Okorocha said he belonged to the APC and that there was nothing wrong with the party but its management.

“I will not stop being an APC member because of somebody. I came into APC alone and I’m in the party. I believe in the party. It will be good to say that time will tell.”

INEC had denied Okorocha his certificate of return following an allegations that the Returning office of the Commission declared him winner of the election under duress.

The Federal High Court in Abuja , however on Friday ordered INEC to issue him a Certificate of Return as senator-elect representing Imo West Senatorial district.

In another judgement, a High Court of Imo State, presided over by Justice Njemanze, directed the Commission not to issue a certificate of return to any of the candidates that contested the election.

The order from the High Court of Imo State was issued on May 23, 2019 and the suit has been further adjourned to June 26, 2019.

INEC had promised to meet on Tuesday to take a decision on the matter and other with court orders on the issuance of their Certificate of return to Okorocha and other candidates with court cases