Lagos based lawyer and human rights activist, Ebun Olu Adegboruwa has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to nullify the appointment of Amina Bala Zakari the Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on the basis of flagrant infringement of the 1999 constitution.

Adegboruwa insisted that Zakari’s initial appointment as an INEC Commissioner had expired on July 21, 2015 and by law could not be extended by a letter of appointment from the Head of civil service of the federation without confirmation from the Senate.

His suit marked as No. FHC/L/CS/1114/2015 was pursuant to Section 154 (1), (3), 155 (1)C, 157 & 162 of the 199 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and joined as respondents to the suit President Muhammad Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation and INEC.

In Adegboruwa’s affidavit, it was stated that Zakari was not qualified to claim to be acting INEC Chairman as her appointment was a clear violation of the extant laws as contained in the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.

“Consequently therefore, the presence of Mrs. Zakari in INEC is a constitutional aberration that must not be allowed to continue.”
On June 30, 2015 Zakari was appointed as the Acting chairman of INEC, in an arrangement believed to be untidy which saw the erstwhile INEC boss on the same day handing over to a more senior Commissioner in the person of Ambassador Mohammad Wali.

The fallout of this untidy exercise has aroused concerns about the level of undue interference Buhari could already have on the independence of a body like INEC which is expected to be neutral and free from interference.

Against this background, Adegboruwa’s motion which is supported by a 36-paragraph affidavit in support of the application stated that Zakari is not qualified to claim to be acting chairman of INEC as she was not appointed in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. Read more from his affidavit here: http://www.post-nigeria.com/zakari-unqualified-for-inec-chair-human-rights-lawyer/

Hmmm. Watching in 3D and waiting to see the chanji they promised.

I made comments on this particular topic on Thursday 23rd July, surprisingly the issue wasn't given attention. With each step the APC government takes, it shovels sand out of the earth. This government will implode in 2017/2018. It will be a disaster like never seen before.

Constitutional Democracy sails on upholding the letters of the constitution & politicians should learn to do so.