Again, Abuja court stops INEC from collating results in Rivers

For the second time in a day, the Federal High sitting in Abuja, has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from going ahead with collation of results.

This followed an interim order handed down on Tuesday by Justice Inyang Ekwo, stopping INEC from resuming collation of governorship and state assembly elections in Rivers State.

Justice Ekwo had earlier stopped the electoral umpire from concluding the process in Bauchi State.

The court’s order is sequel to a suit that was lodged by the African Action Congress, AAC, and it’s governorship candidate in the state, Biokpomabo Awara.

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The court, in a ruling by Justice Ekwo, said the electoral body should maintain status quo ante till Friday when it would hear and determine the merit of the substantive suit that was filed before it.

The plaintiffs, in an ex-parte motion, asked for an order to stop INEC from going ahead with its decision to count and collate pending results from 17 local government areas of the state.

It would be recalled that INEC had earlier stopped the entire election process in Rivers State, but later decided to continue after a fact finding committee it set up concluded its assignment.

The court however ordered accelerated hearing of the suit by the AAC candidate who has been asked INEC to declare him winner, insisting that he garnered the highest number of valid votes cast.