Moses Ofodeme
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will not engage in any elections to fill vacancies arising from the defection of serving members of the National and State Assembly from one political party to another.
This it said will be a total disregard to the rule of law as such cases are in Courts.
The Commission came up with this position while reacting to a statement credited to the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in which the Commission was accused of selective implementation of elections to fill vacancies arising from the defection of serving members of the National and State Assembly from one political party to another.
While no specific instances of the alleged selective action were presented, the statement specifically accused the Commission of deliberate failure to fill the vacancies resulting from the protracted crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly where two factions are jostling for control.
In the midst of the crisis, three or so lawmakers have declared the seats of 27 members vacant and vice versa.
The Commission said while it is aware of the situation in the Rivers State House of Assembly, nonetheless the matter is pending in Court and, therefore, subjudice.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission has been joined in several suits filed by litigants at various courts, including the Supreme Court.
“Under the circumstances, the Commission must await the final judicial pronouncement on the matter before it embarks on a puerile exercise that may eventually amount to a nullity and a waste of public funds.
“We urge people occupying high public offices to be circumspect in their public statements before they mislead the public and cast aspersion on public institutions, particularly where they are aware of the pendancy of cases in court.” INEC advised.