The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reacted to Davido’s grievances over the issuance of a certificate of return (CoR) to Ademola Adeleke, governor-elect of Osun state.
On Sunday, the commission declared Adeleke the winner of the state governorship election held on Saturday.
The ex-lawmaker, who was the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the poll, defeated Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adeleke polled 403,371 votes to beat Oyetola who scored 375,027 votes.
48hrs after our @AAdeleke_01 victory at the Osun Gubernatorial elections, we are yet to receive our certificate. @inecnigeria should we send you fuel money? LOL
Please no one should tamper with the will of the Osun People!
Issue the certificate as required by Law! 💡
Advertisement— Davido (@davido) July 19, 2022
But on Tuesday afternoon, Davido lamented that Adeleke is yet to receive a CoR since his uncle won the election.
Reacting to the singer’s complaint, INEC, in a statement by Festus Okoye, its national commissioner and chairman information and voter education committee, said the commission has a window of 14 days to present the certificate to the winner.
Okoye added that the commission has no intention of going against that status quo.
“Those that intervene and play roles in the electoral process should try to have basic knowledge of the constitutive legal instruments that guide and regulate the conduct of elections,” it reads.
“The Commission is a public trust and a creation of the Constitution and the law and must be seen to respond to public demands for transparency and openness.
“The Commission will continue to uphold the basic tenets of transparency, openness and inclusivity in the conduct of elections and the delivery of electoral services.
“The Commission is not a political party and will not be swayed by partisan political interests. Section 72 of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that a sealed certificate of return at an election in the prescribed form shall be issued within 14 days to every candidate who has been returned by the Returning Officer in an election under the Act.”
A widely circulated document also showed that the certificate would be issued at the INEC media centre in Osogbo on July 20 at 10 am.
“I have been directed to inform you that a certificate of return would be presented to you (the governor-elect) and your deputy (Mr. Adewusi Kola Adegboyega), having emerged the elected governor,” it reads.
Sometimes e better to talk lol https://t.co/GTEPopKBno
Advertisement— Davido (@davido) July 20, 2022
A certificate of return is only issued to candidates who win elections in a free and fair manner.
Davido, who was heavily involved, in his uncle’s campaign, had stated that Adeleke is the “best person for the job.”
He also asked the people of Osun to give him one or two years and “witness the development he will bring to the state.”
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