The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given an explanation why they had not given the Imo State Governor-Elect, Hope Uzodinma, his return certificate.

Recall that on Tuesday, 14th January 2020, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision by seven judges led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammed Tanko, annulled the election of Emeka Ihedioha as the governor of Imo State and declared Hope Uzodinma of the APC as the winner of the March 9th state governorship election. The highest court of the land ordered INEC to revoke the Certificate of Return issued to Ihedioha and issue a new one to Uzodinma immediately.

However, more that 14 hours after the supreme court judgement, the INEC is yet to effect the order.

Speaking with news reporters in Abuja this afternoon, the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the commission has not officially received the order from the supreme court and promised that once it receives it, it would not delay in issuing Uzodinma his Certificate of Return.

Oyekanmi said,

Dear colleagues, please be informed that the commission is yet to be served with the enrolled order of the Supreme Court judgement. Therefore, we cannot issue the Certificate of Return to the APC candidate yet. However, once the commission receives the enrolled order, the CoR will be issued.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.