By Dansu Peter
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has reportedly declared that the commission has subsisting court judgments, including those of the Court of Appeal, indicating that no court can stop a recall, which is like an election, The Nation Newspaper reports this morning.
This is even as the Commission, barring a last-minute change of mind, will begin today the recall of Senator Dino Melaye Kogi West.
A team headed by INEC National Commissioner might oversee the process, which may also involve its Operation Department.
According to The Nation, a top INEC official, who spoke in confidence, said: “There is no restraining order from any court. We will go ahead with the first leg. But if along the line, INEC is stopped from going ahead with the exercise, we will stop it.
“Pasting the verification notice is just the first leg of the process, which cannot hurt Melaye in any way.
“Even the process does not amount to removing the senator. By virtue of Section 110, a lawmaker is only opportune to gauge the mood of his or her constituents on his or her performance.
“If a lawmaker is doing well, he or she should feel free to face the electorate. The process is not a setback at all for any lawmaker.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “A team to be coordinated by the National Commissioner for Northcentral will oversee the process. Definitely, the Operation Department will be involved.
“INEC will, however, seek legal opinion immediately it is served the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“We have subsisting court judgments, including those of the Court of Appeal, indicating that no court can stop a recall, which is like an election.”
Melaye’s counsel Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) flew into Abuja yesterday.
Some supporters of the embattled senator have been begging some Christian clerics to assist by whipping up religious sentiments, another source said.
The INEC timetable shows that Melaye’s recall will run from July 10th to August 19th.
The notice, dated July 3, 2017, reads: “In exercise of the powers conferred on the Independent National Electoral Commission (“the Commission”) by Sections 69 and 110 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); Section 116 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and of all the powers enabling it in that behalf, the commission hereby issues this timetable schedule of activities for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Kogi State.”
Excerpts From The Nation Used In This Article
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