Nigeria, March 13 -- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why it will not issue a certificate of return to any candidate in the February 23 Imo West senatorial election.

After a controversial results collation process, the outgoing governor of Imo, Rochas Okorocha, was declared winner of the Senate seat by the returning officer, Innocent Ibeabuchi, who clearly noted he did so "under duress".

".I have been held hostage here for days so I'm trying to ease off and take my life home back to my children and for the sake of that I am calling these results under duress," Mr Ibeabuchi had said before reading out the results.

The commission said it will not recognise the governor as a senator-elect because of the c...