Benjamin Uwajimogu, the Senator-elect representing Imo North district, in the national assembly on Monday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abuja demanding the immediate release of his certificate of return being withheld by the Commission.
INEC had refused to release the Senator’s certificate of return on the ground that he was wrongly declared winner of the election.
The electoral umpire claimed it has set up a committee to investigate the veracity or otherwise of claims of misconduct during the election.
But Uwajumogu challenged the decision in court and subsequently secured an order of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja directing the Commission to release the certificate of return.
INEC, has, however, failed to comply with the judgement.
During Monday’s protest, Monday Omegara, the Director General of Benjamin Uwajumogu campaign organisation, who gave INEC 24 hours to release the certificate of return asked Nigerians to hold INEC responsible for any break down of law and order in the senatorial district.
Addressing newsmen during the protest, Uwajimogu alleged that INEC has teamed up with the opposition party to frustrate him.
According to him, when other people, including members of the opposition obtained judgement, INEC did not waste tie in releasing their certificate, saying “why is my own different. Why is INEC looking for excuses to deny us our certificate of return when a court of competent jurisdiction gave an order three weeks ago.
“I am here today to collect my certificate of return, but INEC has refused to issue me the certificate. I am asking them to do that to forestall break down of law and order. We are prepared to do whatever it will take to get our certificate of return,” he said.
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