The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pleaded with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to intervene in the disturbing conflicting court order emanating from the conduct of primaries for the governorship elections.
In the statement issued after the Commission’shall meeting, by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the Commission also revealed that it has fixed August 8, 2020 for conduct of Nasarawa Central State Constituency of Nasarawa State bye-election to testrun the conducting of elections amidst COVID-19 pandemic ahead of the Edo and Ondo States governorship election.
Reacting to what it tagged onflicting court orders, the Commission noted: “The Commission is worried about the spate and rapidity of conflicting Court Orders mostly obtained ex-parte involving substantially the same parties, on the same or similar grounds and from courts of coordinate jurisdiction on issues and challenges around the administration of political parties and conduct of party primaries.
“Some of the Orders were obtained from Courts completely removed from the geographical area where the course of action arose. The Commission is committed to obeying all court orders, but the speed, frequency and conflicting nature of the Orders leave it in an awkward and impossible position.
“We urge the NBA to impress on senior members of the Bar to put the country’s interest and the judiciary above every other interest and not allow personal considerations to outweigh their commitment to the profession, the rule of law and due process. It is in the best interest of the Bar and the Bench not to do anything that would bring them into disrepute.
“These calls have become necessary to draw attention to the uncertainties and threats posed by conflicting orders on not only preparations for elections and but also to the growth and development of our democracy,” the Commission noted in the statement.
On the bye-election, the Commission resolved that: “In view of the pending Edo and Ondo governorship elections and the Commission’s policy on conducting elections in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission noted as follows: Before the lockdown across the country as a result of the pandemic, it received notifications of vacancies in the National and several State Assembly Constituencies. However, the Commission could not conduct bye-elections to fill these vacancies due to the exigences posed by the pandemic.
“In view of its policy on conducting elections in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to test run the new policy as well as regulations and guidelines developed therefrom, the Commission resolved as follows: To test run its policy in the Nasarawa Central State Constituency of Nasarawa State to fill the vacancy created by the death of Adamu Suleiman Ibrahim, member representing the Constituency.
“The bye-election will take place on August 8, 2020. The timetable and schedule of activities has been uploaded on the Commission’s website. The official notification for the election will be given on June 29, 2020. Political parties shall conduct their primaries between June 30 and July 6, 2020 while the last day for submission of list of nominated candidates is 6pm on July 7, 2020.
“The scheduling of this election will enable the Commission and all the critical stakeholders to learn the necessary lessons and make adjustments before the Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States,” the statement read.
