Former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has been sworn in as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The allegiance and oath of office was administered on him on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Thursday by Nelson Ayewoh, clerk to the senate.
The former governor, who controversially won the Imo West Senatorial election, could not participate in the inauguration of the Ninth Senate because he had yet to collect his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The commission has refused to issue him a certificate of return after the returning officer in the Imo West Senate election said he declared Okorocha winner “under duress.”
However, following an Abuja court order, INEC later issued a certificate of return to him with reservation – vowing to appeal the decision.
INEC had said in a statement, “If electoral impunity is allowed to flourish, any individual can harass, intimidate and put the Commission’s officers under duress, procure a favourable declaration and be rewarded with a certificate of return.”
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