The Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, on Friday described the conflicting court judgments on the ongoing crisis at the Rivers State House of Assembly as confusing.
Yakubu made this disclosure while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting with media executives at INEC headquarters in Abuja, on Friday.
The INEC boss stated that the conflicting court judgments on House of Assembly crisis has forced the Commission to be silent amid calls for intervention.
Recall that the power tussle between the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has thrown the State Assembly into crisis.
The Rivers State Assembly currently has two factions, with one loyal to Governor Fubara and the other, to former Governor, Wike. Both factions have declared the seats of their opposition vacant.
Commenting on the development, Yakubu maintained that contradictory court decisions at both the State and Federal levels have left INEC unsure of which group holds legitimate authority in the Assembly. A situation, which has complicated any immediate action by the Commission.
“The seats of 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were declared vacant by three other members. The 25 members also declared the seats of the three vacant,” he said.
“After that, there was a court judgement from the Rivers High Court. As well as the Federal High Court on the legitimacy of each of these groups of lawmakers.
“We at INEC have been following the developments. We do not know what will happen next. And so we are seeking the views of Nigerians, especially legal experts on this,” the INEC boss said.
On by-elections, Yakubu also disclosed plans to conduct by-elections for other vacant legislative seats across the country.
He noted that the Commission is considering December for the House of Representatives and House of Assembly positions left vacant on account of deaths.
The INEC boss also hinted at the possibility of pushing for a system that allows political parties to nominate replacements directly when their members’ seats are vacated by death or resignation. He noted that such a practice is followed in some other countries.
The Chairman stated that frequent by-elections have created logistical issues. He pointed out that INEC have organized roughly 20 by-elections since July 2023.
Yakubu indicated that the Commission is consulting stakeholders on the feasibility of adopting this approach in Nigeria.
source: Premium Times
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