INEC Suspends Senator Dino Melaye's Recall
The Independent Electoral National Commission, INEC, has suspended the
recall process of Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would comply with the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja that temporarily suspended the recall process of Sen. Dino Melaye from the Senate.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Melaye represents the Kogi West Senatorial District at the Upper Chamber.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued by Prince Adedeji Soyebi, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee on Thursday in Abuja.
But the Commission went ahead with the process by announcing a timetable for Melaye’s recall from the Senate.
INEC said after its weekly meeting on Thursday that it would halt the process as ordered by the court.
Announcing the Commission’s decision in a statement, the Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee in INEC, Prince Adedeji Soyebi, said the commission would vacate the court order.
Soyebi said INEC would draw the CJN attention to the order in view of its effect on the performance of the Commission’s constitutional duty.
The statement reads: ” The Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) held its regular weekly meeting today and 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.
“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.”
The meeting, Soyebi said, also “approved a policy of comprehensive audit after all elections.
“This is in line with its desire to ensure transparency and overall improvement in the electoral process,” he added.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would comply with the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja that temporarily suspended the recall process of Sen. Dino Melaye from the Senate.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Melaye represents the Kogi West Senatorial District at the Upper Chamber.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued by Prince Adedeji Soyebi, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee on Thursday in Abuja.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
drawn the attention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to the court order
stopping it from conducting the referendum for the recall of Mr. Dino
Melaye from the Senate.
The Commission also vowed to vacate order given by the
Federal High Court, Abuja, directing the parties on the recall issue to
maintain status quo till the determination of the motion on notice
challenging the recall process.
INEC had earlier notified Melaye about the receipt of
petition seeking his recall from the upper legislative chamber, a
development which prompted the senator to approach the court for
injunction restraining the Commission from going ahead with the process.
INEC said after its weekly meeting on Thursday that it would halt the process as ordered by the court.
Announcing the Commission’s decision in a statement, the Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee in INEC, Prince Adedeji Soyebi, said the commission would vacate the court order.
Soyebi said INEC would draw the CJN attention to the order in view of its effect on the performance of the Commission’s constitutional duty.
“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.”
The meeting, Soyebi said, also “approved a policy of comprehensive audit after all elections.
“This is in line with its desire to ensure transparency and overall improvement in the electoral process,” he added.
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