MELAYE’S RECALL: INEC complies with court order, seeks resolution within 90 days

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has agreed to delay the recall process of Senator Dino Melaye in compliance with a court order, but said it had started moves to vacate the court order, stressing the need to complete the process within 90 days in accordance with provisions of the law.

An Abuja Federal High Court had on July 6 ordered INEC and Senator Dino Melaye to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the suit filed Melaye, seeking orders of injunction against the commission to stop it from acting on the petition by the registered voters of Kogi West senatorial district.

INEC had early this week insisted on continuing with the recall process claiming that it was yet to receive the court order on the matter. However, INEC confirmed receipt of the order during the week but said it was still studying to ascertain its best course of action.

The commission, sequel to that development, announced on Thursday that it had during its weekly meeting resolved to comply with the order of the court.

Meanwhile, the commission said it had put in place measures to free itself from the court order. It said it had resolved to meet with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in order to get commitment that the courts would not be used to tamper with her constitutional responsibility as an electoral umpire.

This development was made known to the public by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Prince Solomon Soyebi, in a statement released after its Thursday meeting.

Read also: Govs Bello, Udom at each other’s throat over Melaye

The statement read, “As a responsible, law-abiding institution, INEC will comply with the order. However, the commission has also decided to take immediate steps to vacate the court order and for the matter to be heard and determined expeditiously.

Whereas, the court adjourned hearing of the Motion on Notice to 29th September 2017, it should be noted that Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) sets a limit of 90 days from the date of the presentation of the petition (21st June, 2017) for the exercise to be completed.

“The commission further decided to draw the attention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to the order in view of its effect on the performance of the commission’s constitutional duty to conduct the referendum for the recall in Kogi West senatorial district.

This development marks another twist in the continuing political tussle between Melaye and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

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