Senator-elect Benjamin Uwajumogu protests at INEC office to demand release of his certificate of return (Photo)

Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu, the Senator-elect representing Imo North district today July 22nd staged a protest to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) demanding the immediate release of his certificate of return being withheld by the Commission.

Uwajumogu had secured an order of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja directing the Commission to release the certificate of return, but three weeks after the judgement, INEC was yet to comply with the judgement.

INEC had refused to give the Senator his certificate of return on the excuse that he was wrongly declared the winner of the election, saying it has set up a committee to investigate the veracity or otherwise of claims of misconduct during the election, a decision he challenged in Court.

Director-General of Benjamin Uwajumogu campaign organisation, Matthew Omegara said during the protest that INEC should be held responsible for any break down of law and order in the area, giving the commission 24 hours to release the certificate of return.

Speaking to newsmen at the INEC office, the APC Senator said he approached the Federal High Court as a law-abiding citizen and obtained a judgement instructing INEC to release his certificate of return, adding that till date, INEC was yet to obey the judgement.

He alleged that there were people in the opposition with INEC to frustrate him, adding that when other people, including members of the opposition, obtained judgement, INEC did not waste time in releasing their certificate. He said;

“Why is my own different. Why is INEC looking for excuses to deny us our certificate of return when a court of competent jurisdiction has given an order.

I am here today to collect my certificate of return, but INEC has refused to issue me the certificate. I am asking them to do that to forestall break down of law and order. We are prepared to do whatever it will take to get our certificate of return”