₦airaland Forum

A suit was on Wednesday filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order stopping any attempt to further shift the general elections which were recently re-scheduled to take place on March 28 and April 11.

The suit numbered, FHC/ABJ/CS/106/2015, was instituted by the Hope Democratic Party, asking for an order barring undue interference with the power of the Independent National Electoral Commission to schedule and conduct elections in the country.

It asked the court to stop what it described as “the usurpation of powers of INEC” under any guise.

The defendants in the suit include President Goodluck Jonathan, the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dansuki, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh.

Other defendants are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The plaintiff, asked the court to declare that the postponement of the polls earlier scheduled for February 14 and 28 was not in conformity with the provisions of the law.

It hinged the prayer on the provisions of section 132(1) of the 1999 Constitution and section 26(1), (2) and (5) of the Electoral Act, which it said prescribed that an already scheduled polls could only be shifted if there was natural disaster or natural emergency.

It contended that the letter by the Chief of Defence Staff and the National Security Adviser dated February 3 to INEC on their inability to guarantee security for Nigerians did not qualify as a natural disaster or emergency that could warrant election postponement.

Part of the plaintiff’s prayers read, “An order restraining the 1st (CDS), 2nd (NSA), 3rd (Jonathan) and 5th (AGF) from further interfering in the plaintiff’s right to participate in election and governance of Nigeria and the power of the 4th defendant (INEC) to schedule and conduct elections in Nigeria.

“An order compelling the 4th defendant (AGF) to direct the due provisions of adequate securities by the civil authorities and other civil defence agencies with responsibilities of providing internal securities for the conduct of election by the 4th defendant (INEC).”

The plaintiff also contended that INEC was “not under any duty or bound to obey or comply with any unverified or cogent reasons to postpone scheduled election in the absence of a natural disaster.”

It also contended that INEC was required only to stick strictly to the constitutional and electoral laws to avoid intended obvious mischief and truncation of the nascent democracy.

It also urged the court to hold that INEC as an electoral umpire was “at liberty to device, arrange, and procure any security arrangement or regional co-operation from within or outside the country to ensure a hitch-free election at scheduled general elections.”

In an 18-paragraph supporting affidavit deposed to by Mr. Anderson Chike, the plaintiff averred that the grounds of postponing the February 14 elections by INEC “were not cogent and verifiable reasons as required by law which stipulates only natural disaster and natural emergencies.”

It also averred that the internal security including that of election duties were undertaken by the police and other civil authorities and not the military whose roles in elections were limited and complimentary in the event of major internal crisis.

The affidavit further claimed that the involvement of the Chief of Defence Staff and NSA in purely civil duties is wrong and reasons so adduced only exposes INEC to future vulnerability of mis-chief and abuse of military powers in favour of themselves and their benefactors.

The party urged the court that in deciding the suit it should give due and constructive interpretation of the sections of the relevant statutes and law to restore plaintiff and Nigeria Citizens’ trust in the conduct of future elections in Nigeria.

It urged the court “to curb undue interference (which are) to the detriment of the plaintiff in the sponsor of its candidates and its projected time and expenses at elections when scheduled as provided by law.”

It also contended that “unless defendants are reprimanded and restrained from further violation and whimsical application of the laws and interference thereof, their actions may inadvertently lead to unimaginable crisis in the polity and the country at large especially where foreign observers and citizens have adjusted and prepared for the elections as scheduled.”

The case has not been assigned to a judge.

http://www.punchng.com/news/polls-shift-court-asked-to-restrain-jonathan-cds-nsa/

The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has declared the seats of four lawmakers vacant for defecting to Labour Party.

Details later…


http://www.punchng.com/news/ebonyi-assembly-sacks-four-lawmakers-for-defecting-to-lp/

The Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State has suspended its Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (retd.), over alleged financial impropriety.

Inokoba was suspended by members of the State Working Committee on Wednesday for alleged misconduct and diversion of N40m largesse provided for the party by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke.

It was learnt that the decision to suspend Inokoba was taken on Tuesday after an exhaustive deliberation by members of the State Executive Council.

The Deputy Chairman, King Serena Dokubo-Spiff, was however absent from the meeting due to personal commitments in Port Harcout, Rivers State.

Publicity Secretary, PDP, Mr. Osom Makebre, who confirmed the suspension, declined to go into details.

He explained that the decision of the SEC had been forwarded to the national leadership of the party awaiting ratification.

Makbere said in accordance with the party constitution, it was expected that the Deputy Chairman of the party, Dokubo-Spiff, would take over the running of the party within the next 30 days.

A source at the meeting said the suspended State Chairman was invited to appear before the enlarged SEC but he refused and reportedly travelled to Abuja.

According to the source, SEC members deliberated on a five-charge of misconduct levelled against the embattled Inokoba.

Inokoba was also accused of refusing to join in the ongoing campaigns for candidates of the Bayelsa Central Senatorial district because they were not his choice.

But reacting to the suspension, Media aide to the embattled Chairman, Mr.Nelson Agadi (Jnr), described the reported suspension as illegal and a sponsored action.

“The suspension is a lie that cannot hold and it is a violation of the Section 10 sub-section 7 of the party constitution,” he said.

http://www.punchng.com/news/bayelsa-pdp-suspends-chairman-over-n40m-fraud/

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The Amended Electoral Act 2010 (Section 8 ) is very clear on dates for elections. Even though it gives INEC the right to choose a date, the Act did not state that elections must be conducted in Feb 14th (exactly 107 days to 29th May 2015) for effective hand-over. It says either 150 days or 30 days to the hand-over day. Meanwhile since the Christian Easter Celebration will be on the 5th of April 2015, the Elections can be fixed for 11th and 18th April 2015 respectively, Shikina....!!!!



http://www.placng.org/new/upload/Electoral%20%28Amendment%29%20Act%202010.pdf

[b]When the Director-General of Buhari Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed that unnamed leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paid N6 billion to Christian clerics to campaign against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari
https://www.nairaland.com/2128438/pastors-collected-n6b-campaign-against
he did not also mention how much the APC and its agents paid the Popular Enugu-based Catholic Priest, Rev. Father Camillus Ejike Mbaka who castigated the person and Office of the President of Nigeria. APC and Gov. Amaechi should desist from their hypocritical accusation against respected clerics that are capable of causing disaffection in the country. They have succeeded in polarizing the various arms of Government and now want to also polarize the very institution that holds the soul of this country together. We are not sure what they hope to achieve but we are very sure this will not be beneficial for them and the rest of us who do not share in their political hypocrisy...!!! To be for-warned is to be for-armed [/b]

Blenvado:
"The call for enrollment as INEC ADHOC staff has been concluded, however shortlisted candidates will be contacted soon. Enrollees are also advised to print their Acknowledgement Slip as they will soon be invited for training"


This was taken from INEC ADHOC STAFF DATABASE Site this morning. My question, if 10 days to the Presidentail Election shortlisted candidates are yet to be contacted for training does that show INEC is prepared for this election?

My Thought too. Nigerians should be more realistic and direct their anger rather on INEC whom seem unprepared for the election. INEC is yet to put together a strong man-power for the election and are afraid to admit it...!!!

Why don't u also ask the girls from other churches and a Muslim girl b4 uploading?

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[b]Think about it Nigerians, when in 2003 (18yrs after he left power) Gen Buhari first Contested the Presidential election against OBJ what was he wanting to change in Nigeria? Remember that Nigeria had just returned to Civilian rule in 1999 (14yrs after he left power) and OBj had just done one term. Was he claiming there were massive corruption during the OBj's regime? Was it Boko Haram? In 2007 he again contested against the late Umaru Yar'Adua, were there also massive NNPC corruption? or Boko Haram? In 2011 we saw GMB coming out again against GEJ admitting he may not run again after that election he lost and reneged on his earlier statement.

The Catch
The North felt cheated after that election and threatened to make governance unbearable for GEJ. GMB is capitalizing on that now to claim he wants to change the situation in Nigeria. Nigerians be wise, our past Generals that have constituted themselves as the 'Cabals' that must dictate who rules this country are at it again and this time they are ready to sell this country on the alter of esprit de corps[/b]