Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of scuttling democracy in the state.
Okorocha said this as he spoke with journalists on Tuesday in Owerri on the commission’s insistence on withholding his certificate of return as
INEC is withholding his certificate of return on grounds of the statement of the returning officer who claimed he declared Okorocha winner under duress.
Okorocha said: “Elections are over and we are now dealing with the aftermath characterising it.
“There was an allegation of duress but up till now no one has been able to say who is guilty because the victim has stated that I never touched him.
“The police also reported that there was no duress and yet INEC has continued to withhold my certificate of return.
“It is clear that the Resident Electoral Commissioner was here on a mission to frustrate my efforts but he has only succeeded in delaying justice.
“It is also unfortunate that the Imo INEC allowed itself to be used as a weapon to destroy our democracy but we will not relax until the right thing is done.”
Okorocha also alleged that INEC disregarded the law by issuing a certificate of return to the governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha, adding that the commission should have held a rerun between Ihedioha and the Action Alliance (AA) candidate, Uche Nwosu, since Ihedioha did not win with two third majority.
Okorocha, however, assured that he would hand over to Ihedioha in May.
