APC, INEC working together to stop me -Okorocha

Rochas Okorocha, the Imo State Goveror,  yesterday, accused the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of engaging in high wired conspiracy to rob him of the certificate of return for Imo West senatorial seat.

Okorocha, who narrated his ordeal to newsmen in Abuja, lamented the frequent invitation and quizzing of officials of his government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in recent times.

Despite being declared as winner of the February 23 National Assembly election for Imo West by INEC, the commission, however, declined to issue certificate of return to him, following allegation by the returning officer that he was held under duress.

“I have written to INEC on my certificate of return, the commission should give me the certificate, it cannot just withhold it based on mere allegations; there was no fair hearing, what INEC did is illegal; INEC has no power to withhold my certificate of return. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole are frustrating my coming to the Senate. They are conniving to frustrate me, they will surely fail.”

But, the commission dismissed the allegation as laughable, saying it is merely doing its job.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said as far as the case still remains a subject of litigation at both the Federal High Court and Election Petition Tribunal, there was little or nothing the commission could do to help him.

“I can assure you that INEC is not into any unholy alliance with anybody. INEC is an independent body. All our processes are clean and we are transparent in all our dealings.

“We are not conniving with anybody. We have resolved to do what is right and no individual can influence us to do what is not right.

“If we make mistake, it will be based on our interpretation of an issue or our own imperfection,” he said.