INEC replies Davido after he called out the commission over Certificate of Return

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has made a clarification to Nigerian singer, Davido over the issuance of Certificate of Return to Ademola Adeleke, Osun State governor-elect within a stipulated timeframe.

Davido, who is a nephew to Senator Adeleke, dragged INEC on Twitter for failing to issue a Certificate of Return to Adeleke 48 hours after the election.

“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!” he wrote.

A statement released on Tuesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the commission has up to 14 days to issue the winner of an election a Certificate of Return.

The statement read: “There is no law in place that mandates the Commission to issue a certificate to any candidate within 48 hours.

“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”.