We cannot be stampeded to issue Certificate of Return, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared.
INEC made the declaration in response to a protest embarked upon by the Senator-elect for Imo North Senatorial District, Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu, calling for the release of his certificate.
The commission had set up a committee to probe the case of electoral malpractices against Uwajumogu after he had been declared winner.
He went to court however to seek redress and the court ordered that he should be given his certificate.
The commission is however yet to obey the order of the Federal High Court.
Addressing journalists in Enugu on Monday, INEC National Commissioner in-charge of Enugu, Anambra and Benue states, Festus Okoye, said the protest embarked upon by Uwajumogu was irrelevant.
According to him, INEC could not be stampeded into issuing the certificate.
Said he: “We must study the court judgment before we can comply. As a commission, we must obey court orders. Even if we are not satisfied, we will obey first before we appeal.
“I can recall that the commission was served the judgment of the court on Wednesday, July 16.
“The said judgment could not undergo the regular processes and procedures of the commission and must wait for the next commission meeting.
“The commission will not be stampeded into taking precipitate action or decision that may be detrimental to the electoral process and procedures.”
He also spoke about the commission’s activities in the withdrawal and issuance of certificates of return.
He said the commission had withdrawn three certificates from the APC and issued to NNPP and NRM.
In addition, it withdrew 45 certificates from APC and issued to the PDP as a result of Supreme Court decision on the Zamfara APC party primary election.
“The commission withdrew 39 certificates from the APC and re-issued to another APC candidates,’’ he stated further.
