Reports and insinuations in the formal and informal media platforms
\nsuggesting that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC was
\nintimidated to halt the recall process of Senator Dino Melaye of Kogi West
\nSenatorial District have been debunked by relevant INEC authorities.<\/p>\n
Reports and commentaries especially in the social media had it that the
\nthreat by the Senate to probe the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND
\nwhere current INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu headed as Executive
\nSecretary prompted the halt to Melaye’s recall process. According to the
\nreports, Professor Yakubu may have done wrong there.<\/p>\n
However, top INEC officials have insisted that there was no such nexus
\nbetween whatever action the lawmakers intend for TETFUND and the
\nCommission’s decision to put a hold on Melaye’s recall process.<\/p>\n
Referring to its recent press statements on the Kogi West issue, the
\nofficials said since the Senator’s recall process started, INEC has not
\nhad any cause to veer off its mandate as underscored in relevant laws
\nguiding its activities.<\/p>\n
One national officer of the Commission said “all INEC did was to obey the
\nCourt order restraining the Commission from going further with the
\nprocess. But you must note that we have gone to Court to appeal the order;
\nto get it vacated ahead the September 29 date fixed by the High Court for
\nthe motion on notice.<\/p>\n
“Also, INEC has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria on the High Court
\norder on a strictly constitutional matter which if not addressed could set
\na dangerous precedent that could derail the country’s democracy beginning
\nwith the general elections already scheduled.”<\/p>\n
By section 69 of the Constitution, INEC has a 90-day limit from the date
\nof recall petition presentation, June 21,2017 in this case, to complete
\nthe exercise.<\/p>\n
Another INEC Commissioner explained further: “the Chief Justice needs to
\naddress the matter promptly. If not, somebody or people could come up one
\nday to ask a Court to put aside the 2019 General and Presidential
\nElections Time Table already announced by INEC. When that happens, you can
\nimagine the monumental distortion it will \u00a0create in the 2019 elections
\nprocess.”<\/p>\n
It could be recalled that the Commission had on Thursday, March 10, this
\nyear fixed February 16, 2019 for the next Presidential and National
\nAssembly polls with Governorship and State Assembly elections scheduled
\nfor March 2, 2019.<\/p>\n
Stressing that these are all indications of determination of INEC to
\nprosecute its constitutional mandate, a recently appointed national
\ncommissioner said what INEC did by scheduling the 2019 polls two years
\nahead was to land Nigeria’s democratic process in the same league with
\nother democracies in the world.<\/p>\n
“It happens in countries like the USA that we all wish to emulate.
\nSwitzerland and Norway do same. Even nearby Ghana has adopted it too,” he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The official recalled: “I have always admired the courage of the Chairman
\non the job before I was appointed as a commissioner here. I remember
\nreading in some newspapers quoting him declaring that nobody can
\nintimidate him and INEC in the prosecution of their duties. That speaks
\nmuch of the character and person of the Chairman. Don’t forget too that he
\nhas made INEC to continue to cooperate with all relevant stakeholders even
\nas he has kept faith with Nigeria’s democratic growth which is expected of
\na courageous chief executive.<\/p>\n
“For instance, the Chairman did not waste time in dealing with the 202
\nINEC staff indicted by EFCC for misconduct during the 2015 elections. You
\nare also aware of the Commission’s decision on the staff allegedly
\ninvolved in the Kogi double registration saga. Certainly, that does not
\nlook like a man who can be intimidated,” he further said.<\/p>\n
Chairman of Abuja-based League of Democracy Watchdogs, LDW, Omeresan
\nOlayinka in his Wuse office wondered why people are quick to “interprete
\nnegativity into every good thing in this country.”<\/p>\n
Olayinka continued: “from what I know of this INEC under Prof. Yakubu, it
\nhas been very proactive and determined to do its work according to the
\nlaws establishing and guiding its mandate.<\/p>\n
“I learnt the Chairman was not even in the country when the relevant
\ncommittee met and resolved to suspend the Kogi West recall process in
\ndeference to the Court order. And the measures the Commission has taken to
\nlift that order must be commended.<\/p>\n
“Insinuation linking that decision to the resolution of the Senate to
\nprobe whatever they suspect at TETFUND, is neither here nor there. I don’t
\nsee any connection there. Anything closest to that is a mere coincidence.
\nIf not why is INEC moving to lift the order? And why has INEC petitioned
\nthe CJN for protection of its mandate constitutionally guide our
\ndemocracy?”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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