AMIDST
tensions on account of the issuance of certificate of return to the Abia State
governor elect, Mr. Samson Ogah, the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) Commissioner in charge of the South-east, Chief Lawerence Nwurukwu maintained
that the commission acted in good faith without any form of bias but in total
compliance to the order of the Federal High Court that nullified the election
of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu from the office of the governor of the state over false
information.
According
to him, the presentation of the certificate of return was performed early
yesterday morning at INEC’s headquarters after due interpretation of the court
judgment and consultations with the relevant units of the commission.
“The
situation is we are simply obeying the court order. The court said with
immediate effect, we should issue him certificate of return, and that is what
we have done...
“If
the court tomorrow issues another order, we will obey the same. By the grace of
God I am the INEC Commissioner in charge of South-east. I will do the same
thing if the court orders us to issue the certificate to another person.
“In
this case, the court ordered us to issue the certificate to the person who won
the election and that is Uchechukwu Ogah. I was the person who issued the
certificate of return to Governor Ikpeazu because he was declared winner of the
election then. Now the court is saying otherwise.
“One
thing is that, we are not above the law and we cannot disobey the law of the
land. After the court, another person we obey is God. And my conscience is my
God. If you were in the court that day and I will urge you, members of the
media to go and study the court decision very well. It was wonderful, it was
direct,” he said.
He
added that the electoral body remains an independent umpire that is committed
to operate according to the laws that set it up without any form of alliance or
sentiments to any persons or groups.
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