Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has reacted to the repeated claim by former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, that its Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, is in defiance of a court order removing Ambassador Rufus Akeju as the Resident Electoral Commissioner ,REC, for Osun State.
Jega’s chief press secretary, Kayode Idowu, in a statement on Friday said that though the Commission preferred to remain silent on the issue, it may be mistaken by the unwary public as a proof of veracity of Senator Omisore’s claim.
The Commission noted that it has become imperative to make clear that there is no subsisting court order against Ambassador Akeju as Osun State REC.
Idowu said that “True, in a ruling on 23rd March, 2011 by the Federal High Court in Oshogbo, Hon. Justice Babs Kuewumi gave an interlocutory order of injunction restraining INEC from recognising the REC, pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Summons in the suit. But the Commission’s lawyers lodged an appeal and filed a Motion for stay of execution of the interlocutory order.”
“This appeal is still pending before the Court of Appeal in Akure. Meanwhile, Hon. Justice Babs Kuewumi, in another ruling on 31st May, 2012, granted the application for stay of proceedings pending the determination of the appeal made by the Plaintiff – the Peoples Democratic Party. The position of the law as at today is that the order of injunction granted by the lower court is in abeyance pending the final determination of the appeal.”
The spokesman reaffirmed that INEC is a law-abiding organisation and does not defy valid court orders.
“The Commission is guided by provisions of the Law and strives to do the right thing always. Politicians, and indeed all Nigerians, are urged to be likewise disposed for the good health of our democracy,” he said.
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