The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “has no legal basis to withhold the certificate of a person duly elected,” eminent lawyer and activist Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, had on Friday.

“Let’s quit party politics and do the right thing,” he said in a statement in reaction to the ordeal of embattled outgoing Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

“I urge INEC to present certificate to Governor Rochas Okorocha forthwith. The only other option now is for those who are aggrieved with his election to go to the Election Petitions Tribunal. INEC has no power in law to determine the fate of a candidate already declared winner of an election. That will be tantamount to usurping the will of the people,” Adegboruwa further said.

On the directive given by Governor-elect Emeka Ihedioha to banks not to engage in new financial transactions with the Okorocha administration, Adegboruwa said: “Hon. Ihedioha, being a Governor-elect, cannot in law be doling out directives to banks and giving marching orders against a sitting government. Hon Ihedioha should wait till he has been sworn in. As it is now, he can only monitor events from the sidelines till May 29.

“We cannot seek to humiliate a man just because of political differences. We must do the right thing.”