Elections: INEC Urges Aggrieved Parties to go to Court

Chief Jerry Chukwueke; Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha and  President-elect, Gen. Muhammud Buhari during a visit to Imo State...recently                                       

•  Issues Uba, Ekwunife, Oduah and others with Certificate of Return

Charles Onyekamuo in Awka 
       
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked candidates of parties who failed in the March 28 and April 11 general elections to proceed to the election tribunal when constituted to table their grievances instead of peddling unfounded rumours or working themselves up because they didn’t win.

The INEC National Commissioner for Anambra, Imo, and Abia states, Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku gave the advice in Awka, the Anambra State capital yesterday while issuing certificates of Return to National Assembly winners in the state. He said the commission had no powers under the law to cancel an already declared result.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr. Edwin Nwatalari had earlier said that a lot of stories had been flying about, especially in the social media since the conduct of the election some of which said that the INEC was either writing fresh results or cancelling some areas or cheating, adding that none of them was true and that the elections were conducted in accordance with the electoral guidelines.

“I don’t have power to alter any result that had been declared. The social media is awash with stories that I altered results. Assuming a mistake was made somewhere, it is only the Tribunal that has powers to look at it. I don’t have such powers.

  “Virtually everybody in this state has called me since these stories began making the rounds.
“It is only God that has not called me. Those who are dissatisfied with the outcome should please go to the Tribunal. The only thing we obey is a valid court order,” he said.

Senators-Elect for Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Andy Uba, Anambra Central, Hon. (Mrs.) Uche Ekwunife,  and Anambra North, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah were all issued with certificates of Return. They all won on the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Also issued with certificates of Return were nine House of Representatives members-Elect.
They included Mr. Peter Madubueze (Anambra East/West Federal Constituency, Hon. Emeka Idu (Onitsha North/South), Hon. Anayo Nebe (Awka North /South, Hon. Eucharia Azodo (Aguata Federal Constituency) Chuchu Onyema (Ogbaru),  Obinna Chidoka (Idemili North/South), Emeka Anohu (Ihiala), Hon. Chris Azubogu (Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo, while Dr. Emeka Eze for Njikoka /Anaocha/Dunukofia Federal Constituency was not available to collect his.

The certificate of Return for Orumba North/South was not issued to the supposed winner because it was learnt that it was being challenged in court.

Senator Andy Uba who spoke on behalf of all of them enjoined losers to sheath their swords because it was not time for fight. Rather he said that both the winners and losers should join hands together to move the state forward.