There was a mild drama on Friday at the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Enugu, Enugu State as two persons presented themselves as the legitimate persons to collect the certificate of return for the Nsukka/Igboeze South federal constituency.
TheCitizen gathered that the two persons, Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede and Dr. Patrick Asadu, both members of the Peoples Democratic Party, were engulfed in a legal tussle over the legitimate party’s candidacy for the election.
Asadu, a two term member of the House of Representatives, recently secured a ruling at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja recognising him as the right candidate for the election.
Ugwuegede, however, appealed the ruling and subsequently obtained a stay of execution.
But on Friday afternoon the two appeared at the INEC office during the presentation of certificates of return to the Governor-elect, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and National Assembly members-elect but were denied the certificate.
Each of the candidates pleaded to the National Commissioner of INEC, Dame Gladys Nwafor, to collect the certificate but the commissioner declined.
TheCitizen gathered that Asadu arrived early at the venue and moved straight to the small hall at the INEC office before other guests, including Ugwuegede could arrive.
But a message it was said a close associate Ugwuegede send a message to him to hasten up to the venue before things go out of hand. And not too long that Ugwuegede arrived that he went straight to upstairs to meet the State Resident Commissioner of INEC to ascertain the true situation of things.
However, TheCitizen gathered that Nwafor insisted that none of the two will receive the certificate until the legal tussle is ironed out.
Presenting the certificates to only those cleared, Nwafor, who is the INEC National Commissioner for Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi states, urged the elected officials to fulfill their campaign promises to the people.
According to her, today is a very unique day for the INEC and the government of Enugu State.
“We are here to give certificates of return to whom the electorate has given the mandate to serve the people.
“It has not been an easy task for both the commission and the contestants. I call it a divine mandate to serve the people.
“Enugu State is one of the most peaceful states and I am happy to be associated with the state,” she said.
The event was attended by prominent people in the state.
