NYCN in a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Isah Abubakar  noted that it was unconstitutional and against the electoral Act as amended for INEC to refuse the issuance of Certificate of Return to Rochas Okorocha after his declaration as the winner by the returning officer.

Okoye noted that the commission was aware that the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, who was declared as the winner of the election had gone to court because he was not presented with his certificate of return.

Okoye stressed that although the commission has always obeyed court orders, it would not issue a certificate of return to the governor but  would await the verdict of the court to know what step to take next.

Governor Okorocha had asked the Federal High Court Abuja to compel the electoral body to issue him his certificate as the senator-elect for Imo West senatorial district.

In a suit, the governor argued that INEC lacked the statutory powers to withhold his certificate of return, stressing that he was validly elected to represent the Imo West senatorial district in the National Assembly.

The governor insisted that he won the election fairly and that his victory was not declared under duress.

Meanwhile , NYCN demanded that as a matter of urgency the commission should without any further delay Present the certificate of return of the Senator elect in person of Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha to him to avoid the breach of the constitution

“failure of the commission to present to the winner of the 23rd February election his certificate of return in person of Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha within 14 working days will attract a massive protest from the youth at the headquarters of the commission Abuja.”

“That INEC has failed woefully as they have chosen to hearken to the voice of their paymasters and deep pocket individuals to the detriment of Nigerians who have spoken though their votes by throwing the country into their so-called inconclusive elections.”