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. 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.
Soyebi said the commission
reached the decision after considering the court order dated July 6, 2017, at
its regular weekly meeting held on Thursday.
The court order had directed all
parties listed in the suit filed by Melaye to maintain the status quo till the
determination of the motion on notice.
Melaye was seeking an order of
injunction against the commission to stop it from acting on the petition by
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 for the matter to be heard and determined expeditiously.
“Whereas the court had adjourned the hearing of the Motion on Notice till Sept. 29, the commission by law has 90 days to complete the process,’’ he said.
Soyebi further said: “section 69
of the 1999 Constitution (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 national commissioner,
however, said the commission did draw the attention of the Chief Justice of
Nigeria to the order.
Soyebi said this was in view of
the negative effect the order had on the performance of the commission’s
constitutional duty.
In another development, Soyebi
said the commission had approved a policy of comprehensive audit after all
elections.
“This is in line with its commitment to ensuring transparency and overall improvement of the electoral process,’’ he said.