The new Senate president, Ahmad Lawan on Thursday, June 13, swore in, former Imo governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha as senator representing the state’s west senatorial district.
Clerk to the Senate, Nelson Ayewoh, conducted the swearing-in ceremony after which Okorocha signed necessary documents.
News Hub recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier on Tuesday issued the former Governor of Imo his Certificate of Return to the Senate after the inauguration of the 9th Senate.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after collecting the certificate in Abuja, Okorocha said he was told at exactly 6.14 p.m. that his certificate was ready.
“At exactly 6.14 pm, this evening, after the inauguration of the 9th assembly, I was invited to collect my certificate and I have just come to collect it.
“I take it to be God’s time. I believe that justice delayed is justice denied, but all the same for the sake of our nation, I accepted it,” he said.
INEC had earlier withheld Okorocha’s certificate of return following an allegation that the Returning Officer of the Commission declared him winner of the election under duress.
But the Federal High Court in Abuja, however on Friday ordered INEC to issue him a Certificate of Return as senator-elect representing Imo West Senatorial district.
Justice Okon Abang in his ruling on Friday, held that the commission had no reason to withhold the former governor’s certificate, having won the election.
