Temporary reprieve has come the way of the embattled Senator Dino Melaye’s even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is abiding with a court order to maintain status quo in a suit filed by the Senator over his recall initiated by his constituents.
INEC made this position known at end of its regular weekly meeting today, where they considered the order given by an Abuja Federal High Court.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Prince Solomon Soyebi in a statement issued after the meeting, wherein it considered the order given by the Federal High Court, Abuja dated 6th July 2017 directing the “parties to maintain the status quo till the determination of the plaintiff’s motion on notice,” in respect of the suit filed by Senator Dino 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.
The electoral body also said it has put in place measures to vacate a court order directing it to maintain the status quo on the recall of the senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye.
The commission has decided 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.
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”, he said.
The Commission also at its meeting approved a policy of comprehensive audit after all elections.
This is in line with its commitment of ensuring transparency and overall improvement of the electoral process.
