Former Governor of Imo state and senator-elect for Imo West Senatorial District, Rochas Okorocha has expressed gratitude to the leadership of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for obeying court order and issuing him his certificate of return.
In a statement by his media aide, Sam Onwuemedo, in Owerri, Okorocaha said that he was happy that the issuance of certificate of return received national and international attention.
He also thanked the INEC Returning Officer, Prof Innocent Ibeabuchi who said that he declared him (Okorocha) Senator-elect under duress, stressing that without the don, his case wouldn’t have received public sympathy.
The statement read in part
“With the release of his certificate of return as the Senator-elect for Imo West Senatorial District, former governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has thanked God.
“He also thanked Nigerians for their concern and solidarity all through the period his certificate of return was an issue.
“He also expressed gratitude to the judiciary for being there for those who hunger for justice.”
INEC had refused to issue Okorocha the certificate of return after the returning officer alleged that he declared Okorocha winner under duress.
However, an Abuja Federal High Court ordered INEC to issued Okorocha his certificate of return, noting that only a court could upturn the declaration of a returning officer.
