Imo North: Okorocha Reacts as APC Senator-Elect Emerges Victorious in Abuja Court
- Senator Okorocha has congratulated Senator Ararume following the court ruling which declared him the APC candidate in Imo North senatorial bye-election
- After months of tough legal battle, the court had ordered INEC to issue the certificate of return to Ararume within 72 hours
- However, another court has yet again restrained INEC from recognizing Ararume as a winner of the election
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Former governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, has congratulated Senator Ifeanyi Ararume on his victory at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The court on Thursday, March 18, declared Ararume the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Imo North senatorial bye-election held on December 5, 2020.
Reacting, Okorocha who is the senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, said Senator Ararume will be expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear for the good of the people of Imo North, The Punch reported.
Source: Twitter
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the court gave the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a 72-hour ultimatum to issue a certificate of return to Ararume based on the result of the bye-election.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that having been declared as the valid candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ararume should be awarded a certificate of return by the electoral commission.
The judge stated that the earlier judgment of the court had confirmed Ararume as the winner of the election.
Victory short-lived?
Just when Senator Ararume was singing songs of victory, his joy was cut short. This is an Imo state high court issued an order of interim injunction to INEC restraining it from giving Ararume a certificate of return.
According to a ruling read by Justice E. O. Agba on Thursday, March 18, this order will stand pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice in a suit brought before the court.
The judge revealed that the suit was filed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), one Kelechi Soribe, a member of the party, and five others against Ararume, INEC and the APC.
Nigerians react
Jossy Lauren commented on Facebook:
"Judiciary is one of the major problem we have in this country called Nigeria, a federal high court has ordered INEC to issue certificate of return to Ararume and now a high court in Imo state has put a stop to it."
Alita Samuel Tochukwu said:
"This is unjust and uncalled for. Does it mean the so called high court sat yesterday for the issue or what??"
Godstime Victory simply said:
"Useless game called politics"
Avwarodoghene L Eneriakpoze said:
"This man is not destined for politics. Since Ohakin he has been running for office."
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Nurudeen Lawal is a Legit.ng journalist passionate about fact-checking/verification journalism. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature-in-English from Obafemi Awolowo University. As Politics Editor, Nurudeen mostly writes on Nigeria’s political and socio-economic developments. He has attended different workshops, conferences and training on fact-checking and digital reporting, among others. Learn more about him on Twitter, @Nurudeen Lawal_
Source: Legit.ng
