ABUJA-The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has petitioned the National judicial Council, NJC, over what it called the violation of the Constitution and Electoral Act by Justice Ekwo Inyang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who on Tuesday granted an exparte order, barring the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from going ahead with the collation of votes in the Bauchi state governorship election in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state.
The party said
in granting an exparte order stopping INEC from concluding the election,
“Justice Inyang violated Section 87(11) of the Electoral Act, which
states that no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election
pending the determination of a suit.”
In an affidavit sworn to by
the PDP’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, in Abuja, the party
notes that issues of collation of results and declaration of winner, is a
post-election event and, therefore, falls under the Electoral Act and
Constitutional provisions for the election petition tribunal.
The
affidavit stated: “Despite this clear provision of the law, Justice
Ekwo decided to hear the application of Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and his
political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, within twenty four
hours on 19th March, 2019 and issued an order on INEC not to continue
with the election until the case before him is finally decided.
“That
the collation of results is a post-election event and under section
87(11) of the Electoral Act, no court has the power or jurisdiction to
stop any election pending the determination of a suit.
“That an election includes voting, collation of results and the declaration of results.
“That
as a result of the order on the Independent National Electoral
Commission, the conclusion of the Bauchi State Governorship election
which was to take place on 19th March 2019 was stalled.
“That the
order of Justice Ekwo was made contrary to the provisions of the
Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended dealing without fair hearing
and also section 87(11) of the Electoral Act.
“That the Chief
Justice of Nigeria has constituted the various Election Petition
Tribunals in Nigeria to handle such cases and the assumption of
jurisdiction by Justice Inyang Ekwo is an affront to the constitution
and electoral wishes of the people of Tafawa Balewa Local Government
Area and Bauchi State”
The PDP insisted that not only did Justice Inyang “violated the clear provisions of the Electoral Act, the motion granted is also an affront to the electoral wishes of the people of Bauchi State who have clearly chosen their next governor in voting for the PDP’s candidate, Senator Bala Mohammed.”
Source:- Vanguardngr
Share your thoughts