The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has replied the Senate over its call for said that only a legitimate court order could stop the recall of Senator Dino Melaye as demanded by his Kogi West constituents.
The Senate had on Tuesday described the recall moves of Melaye as an exercise in futility that would become a waste of time and resources of the state.
According to the Senate, INEC is aware of relevant sections of the constitution that the cumbersome process of recall must follow. It also noted that the various stages passed so far in the move, as facilitated by the electoral umpire, were not in line with laid down constitutional procedures and guidelines.
In response, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Commission Rotimi Oyekanmi told newsmen in Abuja that filing a lawsuit was not enough to stop the process.
Oyekanmi said the actions of the commission were being guided by the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The constituents came with sacks of documents which they said were `the signatures’ of more than half of the voting population of Kogi West Senatorial District, which Melaye represents.
“They also presented a register of the said signatories and a letter, asking INEC to begin the process of recalling the senator representing that particular district.
“Subsequently, the Commission, in the exercise of the powers conferred on it by Sections 116 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), on Monday issued a timetable and schedule of activities for the recall of the senator.
“Only a legitimate court order or an injunction can be considered by the commission,’’ he said.
On claims by Melaye that some of the signatures submitted to INEC were forged and that names of dead registered voters were also included, Oyekanmi said the process of verification would clear all that.
According to the Senate, INEC is aware of relevant sections of the constitution that the cumbersome process of recall must follow. It also noted that the various stages passed so far in the move, as facilitated by the electoral umpire, were not in line with laid down constitutional procedures and guidelines.
In response, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Commission Rotimi Oyekanmi told newsmen in Abuja that filing a lawsuit was not enough to stop the process.
Oyekanmi said the actions of the commission were being guided by the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The constituents came with sacks of documents which they said were `the signatures’ of more than half of the voting population of Kogi West Senatorial District, which Melaye represents.
“They also presented a register of the said signatories and a letter, asking INEC to begin the process of recalling the senator representing that particular district.
“Subsequently, the Commission, in the exercise of the powers conferred on it by Sections 116 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), on Monday issued a timetable and schedule of activities for the recall of the senator.
“Only a legitimate court order or an injunction can be considered by the commission,’’ he said.
On claims by Melaye that some of the signatures submitted to INEC were forged and that names of dead registered voters were also included, Oyekanmi said the process of verification would clear all that.
INEC Replies Senate Over Move to Stop Melaye’s Recall
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