Connect with us

News

INEC urges tribunal to sack Melaye’s petition

Published

on

Again, Melaye cries out against the police

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has prayed the election tribunal to sack a petition by Senator Dino Melaye against the Kogi West senatorial rerun.

Melaye, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the rerun conducted on November 30, 2019, is challenging the outcome of the poll.

However, INEC on Thursday, after closing its case as part of the defendants in the matter, asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition by Melaye for lacking in merit.

The INEC, which did not call any witness as it closed its case, made the appeal through its lawyer, Chris Alashey.

In his petition alongside his party, the PDP, Melaye is challenging INEC declaration of Smart Adeyemi, the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) candidate, as the winner of the rerun poll.

Melaye had initially won the senatorial election of the zone during the March 2019 election.

However, the Appeal Court nullified his victory and ordered INEC to conduct a fresh election in the zone.

READ ALSO: INEC fixes date to discuss resumption of normal activities

The November 16 election conducted by INEC for Kogi West senatorial position was inconclusive, amid reports of widespread electoral irregularities.

A rerun poll was thereafter conducted on November 30 and Adeyemi was declared as the winner.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now