Politics
Certificate Of Return: Senator-Elect Protests As INEC Kicks
Benjamin Uwajumogu, Senator-elect of Imo North, last Monday, led some protesters to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, headquarters over the non-issuance of a certificate of return to him.
INEC had set up a committee to look into allegations of misconduct in the senatorial election after Uwajumogu had been declared winner.
The decision was challenged by Uwajumogu, who contested on the platform of All Progressives Congress, (APC). This is just as INEC condemned the protest at its headquarters by Benjamin and his supporters over a Federal High Court judgment.
A national commissioner with INEC and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, who stated this in Enugu, said INEC would not be stampeded into issuing a certificate of return to Uwajumogu.
On July 5, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered INEC to issue Uwajumogu a certificate of return.
While speaking with journalists at INEC headquarters in Abuja the senator-elect wondered why a committee was set up after he had been declared winner of the poll.
Uwajumogu accused INEC of “using the excuse of the committee to deny” him the certificate.
His words: “Some of them that have been given certificates did not have to go through any committee before they were given. Why is my own going through this process? Why is INEC using the excuse of the committee to deny us our certificate of return, when a court has given an order?
“We are asking INEC to produce that certificate of return to forestall a breakdown of law and order.” In reaction, INEC through Okoye, in Enugu yesterday, said:
“We cannot rush to hand over the certificate of return to him; we must study the court judgment. As a commission, we must obey court order even if we are not satisfied.
“Recall that the commission was served with the judgment of the court order on Wednesday, July 16. The said judgment could not undergo the regular processes and procedures of the commission and must wait for its next meeting.
“The commission will not be stampeded into taking precipitate action or decision that may be detrimental to the electoral process and procedures.”
Okoye revealed that the Commission has withdrawn and re-issued 87 certificates of return.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.