Candidates from Imo State were conspicuously missing at Thursday’s presentation of certificates of return by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to lawmakers who had been declared winners at the concluded polls.
Missing among the senators-elect who were to get their certificates of return was Owelle Rochas Okorocha whom the Commission had earlier dropped from the list of senators-elect on its website.
Also missing from Imo State was Benjamin Uwajumogu, who was earlier reported to have emerged from Imo North Senatorial district on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but who was not presented with certificates.
A director of the Commission, who did not want to be named, however, disclosed that Uwajumogu’s ‘victory’ has some issues which the Commission would want to address.
Other candidates from federal constituencies in Imo North who did not make the roll call include Chike Okafor and Accord Party Candidate from the same zone, Hon Emeka Nwajiuba.
Governor Rochas Okorocha had in an interview claimed that Okigwe South was won by the candidate of Action Alliance (AA), Emenike. That too was not on roll call.
The presentation which was marred by unusual rowdiness as supporters of politicians literally ran over security operatives also saw many in attendance complaining bitterly about missing items such as phones, money and other valuables.
Earlier while addressing the Senators-elect, INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu had appealed to the elected representatives to immediately commence work on the needed legal framework for the 2023 general election, noting that the time left is short.
The commission he said is not going to waste time in drawing up a solid roadmap that will address noticeable lapses in the 2019 general elections and solicited expedited action on the part of Senate.
“As a matter of urgency, the Commission will begin work on post-2019 elections review and road mark to 2023.
“There is a lot of work but very little time available. As a process governed by law the success of election in Nigeria depends to a large extent on the electoral legal framework and most importantly in ensuring adherence to the law.
“I want to assure you that we will continue to work with National Assembly to review and strength our Electoral Law.
“But, I want to appeal to the Senators-elect to please start work early and conclude work on the electoral framework in a good time well ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“The tendency to delay electoral reform particularly the review of electoral framework until it is too close to the elections, leave the commission with little time to develop processes including regulations and guidelines, make required consultative with stakeholders, embark on effective voter education including sensitisation, train staff and organised deployment for the elections.
“I am glad that among the senators-elect are senators that we have worked very closely with and some of them have taken initiative or even sponsoring private member bills to advance the cause of electoral reform.”
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