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Tag: Inec

  • Recall: Stop playing games with the law, group tells Melaye

    Recall: Stop playing games with the law, group tells Melaye

    Senator Dino Melaye has been accuses by an election monitoring group, the Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG) of trying to frustrate the process of his recall.
    The Senator had reportedly refused to accept the recall petition served on him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the ground that the 90 days allowed by law for the recall process has elapsed, thereby rendering any further action invalid.
    However, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, the ISDMG challenged the Senator to go and face his constituents and prove his popularity among them rather than frustrating the process.
    The group said it was clear that Senator Melaye and his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), are playing games with the law to frustrate the recall process.
    “We must not allow Senator Dino Melaye to ridicule our Constitution and our court. The beauty of democracy is that it allows elected representatives to renew their mandates through legally guaranteed elections or recall process.
    “The Senator it was who headed to court while time was counting down, alleging that the process enunciated by INEC abridged his fundamental right to fair hearing. He was heard by our court while the countdown on time was paused; he cannot turn around now and complain about the effusion of time by playing up stupid histrionics, while acting jejune theatrics.
    “Our court deprecated the behaviour of folks like Senator Dino in Governor of Lagos State & Ors v Ojukwu & Anor who seek to supplant the Rule of Law with their own Marshal command, using our court as a sword and as a shield”.
    It was all drama at the National Assembly yesterday as Senator Dino Melaye and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) engaged in hide-and-seek game over the Kogi West lawmaker’s recall.

    The INEC officials had arrived at the National Assembly complex as early as 11am with four ‘Ghana Must Go’ bags containing recall petitions and a heap of tied documents signed by constituents in Melaye’s  Kogi West.

    The INEC officials had split into two with one group waiting at the door of the senator’s office. The other group was monitoring the chambers, where Melaye kept himself busy with legislative duties.

    Apparently aware that some of the INEC officials were waiting for him in the frontage of his locked office at the Senate Wing of the complex, the lawmaker refused to go to his office after plenary.

  • Photos: INEC returns Melaye recall notice

    Photos: INEC returns Melaye recall notice

    Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday returned the recall notice to Senator Dino Melaye after fruitless effort to deliver it at the National Assembly in Abuja.

    INEC returns recall notice on Melaye
    INEC returns recall notice on Melaye. Photo Abayomi Fayese

  • Bye-election: INEC trains 1,776 corps members

    Bye-election: INEC trains 1,776 corps members

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Tuesday it had trained no fewer than 1,776 Corps members for the September 30 bye-election in Eti-Osa Constituency I in Lagos State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly became vacant following the death of Mr Kazeem Alimi, who represented the constituency in the Assembly.

    Alimi died on July 18, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and was buried on July 19, two weeks after his 50th birthday celebration.

    The late lawmaker was until his death, the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Community Affairs.

    Speaking with NAN on preparations for the election, Mr Sam Olumekun, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner said that the commission had trained Polling Officers, mostly Corps members for the Sept. 30 bye-election.

    Olumekun, who assured candidates of a level playing ground, promised to ensure adequate provision of personnel and materials during the exercise.

    According to him, the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security had met and assured voters of security of lives and materials during the exercise.

    He said that the commission has also trained enough Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) and provided adequate card readers to ensure credible poll.

    “We have trained all officers for the election and we have enough card readers for the accreditation of voters on the election day.

    “Let all eligible voters in the constituency go out and exercise their civic responsibility by coming out to vote for the candidate of their choice,” he said.

    The INEC boss, who said that there would be no restrictions of human and vehicular movements, assured of adequate security personnel to deal with any breach of law and order.

    Olumekun urged contestants and their supporters to be law-abiding before, during and after the exercise.

    According to him, the affected constituency has six Registration Areas (Wards) and 188 Polling Units.

    The spokesman for INEC in the state, Mr Femi Akinbiyi, had told NAN that nine political parties would be jostling for the seat in the House of Assembly.

    The candidates are: Mr Olawale Okesola (AA); Mr Samson Tampennu (AD); Mr Noheem Babatunde (APC) and Mr Olawale Gbadamosi (BNPP).

    Others are: Mr Olufemi Adebiyi (DA); Mr Oluwaseun Adebayo-Daniel (NNPP); Mr Arubiewe Abogun (PDP); Mr Olorunyomi Odusanya (PPA) and Mr Abiodun Adetayo (UDP).

    NAN reports that the six RAs in the affected constituency include Victoria Island II, Ilasan Housing Estate/ Moriyegun 5 and Lekki/Ikate.

    Others are Ilado/Eti-Osa, Aja/Sangotedo and Ado/Langbasa/Badore.

  • INEC storms NASS with Melaye’s recall notice

    INEC storms NASS with Melaye’s recall notice

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials stormed the National Assembly on Tuesday to serve Senator Dino Melaye the recall notice sent by his constituents.

    The officials, who dropped bags containing the documents at the entrance to Melaye’s office, waited patiently for the senator to return to the complex.

    Melaye had repeatedly rebuffed moves by INEC to serve him the recall petition as ordered by court.

    The senator had on Monday explained why he refused to accept the petition from INEC.

    He told journalists that accepting any “purported’’ petition from the electoral commission would amount to breaching the 1999 Constitution.

    According to him, the 90-day deadline set for INEC on the matter by Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution has expired.

    Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, is facing a recall by his constituents, who in a June 23, 2017 petition, asked INEC to recall him.

    He was accused of poor of representation of the constituency at the Senate.

  • Court to INEC: Serve Melaye recall papers

    Court to INEC: Serve Melaye recall papers

    A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make further attempt to ensure personal services of documents relating to the recall of Senator Dino Melaye on him.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the directive yesterday when INEC informed the court about its ex-parte motion for substituted service. INEC said its motion was informed by its inability to serve Melaye with the petition for his recall and other list of voters, who endorsed the petition.

    The court had, in a judgment on September 11, in a fundamental rights enforcement application by Melaye, said although it was not mandatory, INEC should avail the senator with the petition and list containing the signature of voters, who signed the petition, to enable the senator prepare for the recall process.

    Yesterday, when lawyers to parties appeared before the court, lawyer to INEC, S. O. Ibrahim, told the court about his pending ex-parte motion for substituted service of the petition on Melaye.

    Lawyer to Melaye, Nkem Okoro, also told the court that he has filed a number of applications, including one for stay of execution of the court’s judgment and also challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear INEC’s ex-parte motion.

    He said his client would be back in the country between September 25 and 26 for the resumption of the Senate.

    In view of the information by the lawyers, Justice Dimgba said in view of the tight schedule of the court, he was not ready to hear all the applications.

    He directed INEC to make a further attempt to ensure personal service on him when he returns. He adjourned to September 28.

    The judge said should INEC complain on the next date of being unable to serve Melaye personally, he would hear the ex parte motion by the election body and the applications by Melaye.

  • Court asks INEC to make efforts to serve Melaye

    Court asks INEC to make efforts to serve Melaye

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure personal services of documents relating to the recall of Senator Dino Melaye, are served on him.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the directive yesterday when INEC informed the court about its ex-parte motion for substituted service.

    The commission said its motion was informed by its inability to serve Melaye with the petition for his recall and other list of voters, who endorsed the petition.

    The court, in a judgment on September 11, in a fundamental rights enforcement application by Melaye, said although it was not mandatory, INEC should avail the senator of the petition and list containing the signature of voters, who signed the petition, to enable Melaye prepare for the recall process.

    Yesterday, when lawyers to parties appeared at the court, counsel to INEC, S. O. Ibrahim, told the court about his pending ex-parte motion for substituted service of the petition on Melaye.

    Melaye’s lawyer Nkem Okoro told the court that he filed a number of applications, including one for stay of execution of the court’s judgment and challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear INEC’s ex-parte motion.

    He said Melaye would be back in the country between September 25 and 26 for the resumption of the Senate.

    Justice Dimgba said in view of the tight schedule of the court, he was not ready to hear the applications.

    He directed INEC to make a further attempt to ensure personal service on Melaye when he returns. He adjourned till September 28.

    The judge said should INEC complain on the next date of being unable to serve Melaye personally, he would hear the ex-parte motion by the election body and the applications by Melaye.

     

  • APC submits Nwoye’s name to INEC

    After several days of speculations and political horse-trading, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has submitted the name of Tony Nwoye to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate for the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State.

    The party also issued a Certificate of Return to Nwoye as the party’s candidate against the recommendation of the party’s appeals panel, which called for the cancelation of the primary.

    The appeals panel had told the NWC that most of the aspirants, led by Sen Andy Uba, questioned Nwoye’s victory and called for a repeat of the primary.

    But the chairman of the primary committee and Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima told the party that none of the aspirants questioned the integrity of the primary.

    Uba, who wanted an outright cancelation of the primary and declaring him winner, wrote: “I complained to some members of the Primary Election Committee sent from the headquarters of the party. To be frank, I continued with the exercise in protest after observing all these irregularities. Most of the disgruntled delegates of the primary have gone to various courts to depose to an affidavit on the events that transpired.”

    The Nation was informed that the Appeals panel recommended a repeat of the governorship primary.

    But rising from a crucial meeting at the party’s national secretariat yesterday, APC decided to forward Nwoye’s name to the INEC to meet the deadline for the submission of names of candidates for the election.

    The party’s National Organising Secretary Osita Izunazo told reporters that the NWC threw out Uba’s petition against Nwoye and overruled the recommendation of the Appeals panel for a cancelation of the primary.

    He said: “I can confirm to you that the NWC has issued a Certificate of Return to Nwoye as APC governorship candidate for the November 18 Anambra election.”

  • Court to INEC: Serve documents to Melaye

    Court to INEC: Serve documents to Melaye

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make further attempt to ensure personal services of documents relating to the recall of Senator Dino Melaye on him.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba made gave the directive when INEC informed the court about its ex-parte motion for substituted service.

    INEC said its motion was informed by its inability to serve Melaye with the petition for his recall and other list of voters who endorsed the petition.

    The court, in a judgment on September 11, said although it was not mandatory, INEC should avail Melaye with the petition and list containing the signature of voters who signed the petition to enable him prepare for the recall process.

    When lawyers to parties appeared before the court on Monday, lawyer to INEC, S. O. Ibrahim, informed the court about his pending ex-parte motion for substituted service of the petition on Melaye.

    Lawyer to Melaye, Nkem Okoro also told the court that he has filed a number of applications, including one for stay of execution of the court’s judgment and also challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear INEC’s ex-parte motion.

    He said Melaye would be back in the country between September 25 and 26 for the resumption of the Senate.

  • Anambra Guber poll: APC submits Nwoye’s name

    Anambra Guber poll: APC submits Nwoye’s name

    After several days of speculations and political horse trading, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has submitted the name of Hon. Tony Nwoye to the Independent National Electoral (INEC) as its candidate for the November 18 governorship election in Anambra state.

    The party also issued a certificate of return to Nwoye as the party’s candidate against the recommendation of the Appeal panel, calling for the outright cancelation of the primary election.

    The appeals panel had told the National Working Committee that most of the aspirants who contested the primary led by Sen Andy Uba, questioned Nwoye’s emergence, demanding a repeat of the exercise.

    However, the Chairman of the Committee that conducted the primary and Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima on his part told the party that non of the aspirants questioned the integrity of the primary through out the exercise.

    On his part, Senator Andy Uba who wanted an outright cancelation of the primary and declaring him winner, Sen Uba wrote: “I complained to some members of the Primary Election Committee sent from the headquarters of the party. To be frank, I continued with the exercise in protest after observing all these irregularities. Most of the disgruntled delegates of the primary election have gone to various courts to depose to an affidavit of events that transpired.”

    The Nation was informed that the Appeal panel recommended a repeat of the governorship poll.

     However, rising from a crucial meeting at the party national secretariat on Monday, decided to forward Nwoye’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in order to meet the deadline for submission of names of candidates for the election.

    National Organising Secretary Osita Izunazo, who confirmed the development told newsmen that the NWC threw out Sen. Uba’s petition against Nwoye and also overruled the recommendation of the Appeal panel for total concelation of the primary poll.

    “I can confirm to you that the NWC has issued certificate of return to Tony Nwoye as APC governorship candidate for November 18, Anambra election.”

  • Recall: INEC opts for substituted process as Melaye evades service

    Recall: INEC opts for substituted process as Melaye evades service

    •Commission releases fresh recall timetable on Monday

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may opt for a substituted process in serving the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Dino Melaye copies of all documents relating to his recall.

    There are indications that the electoral commission may release the timetable for the recall of the embattled Senator tomorrow.

    It was learnt that Melaye has shut down his office and blocked access to his house by INEC officials who wanted to comply with the order of Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Although the court on Thursday dismissed Melaye’s suit to stop his recall, Justice Dimgba ordered INEC to avail Melaye with a “copy of the petition and other accompanying documents to enable him prepare for the stakeholders’ meeting for the commencement of the verification exercise within two weeks from the date of the judgment.”

    A top INEC source said: “It has been difficult to make available the petition and other documents available to Melaye. When our team went to his office, the staff had shut down the place.

    “Also, those sent to the Senator’s house said the guards and other aides said they were under instructions from the Senator not to collect any document on his behalf.

    “We are left with no option than to use a substituted process to make all these documents available to Melaye in line with the court order.

    “We will try as much as possible to locate Melaye or serve him the necessary documents because he is planning to go to the appellate court to halt the recall process.”

    Responding to a question, the top source added: “All things being equal, INEC will release a time table for the recall of the Senator on Monday.

    “We know the Senator is rushing to the court in order to buy time to frustrate the recall process.”

    But on his Twitter handle, Melaye said:  “Why is INEC desperate on this recall thing? We shall see.”

    Justice Dimgba had described Melaye’s application as “hasty, premature and presumptuous.”

    The judge said no injustice has been done to him by the refusal of NEC and those behind his recall to serve him copies of the petition against him and signatures of registered voters, who endorsed the petition.

    He said: “I do not believe that the petitioners have the duty to serve the plaintiff with a copy of the petition. The duty of the constituents is to write and submit their petition to the electoral body.

    “There is no provision in Sections 68 and 69 of the Constitution that provides the scope for the writers of the petition to inform the plaintiff of plans to recall him or for him to come and clear himself of allegations levelled against him

    “The duty of an aggrieved electorate is to submit a petition backed by appropriate signatures to the electoral body, while the duty of the 1st defendant (INEC) is well-defined, which is to verify the signatures, and if satisfied that they are genuine and the number meets the constitutional threshold, then it is to proceed to conduct a referendum for the recall of the legislator.

    “I do not see how this could have caused an injury to the first plaintiff. The only option open to the plaintiff is to go through the verification exercise and ventilate any grievances that he might have there.

    The judge faulted Melaye’s claim that majority of the signatures/signatories to the petition are non-existent, dead and forged.

    “He (Melaye) was not served with the petition and the list of signatures. Then on what basis did he conclude on the literacy status of the signatories if their identities he did not know.”