THE Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER) Monday said the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)to hold the Delta State governorship rerun in January is ill-advised.
(http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/thumbnail.php?file=CODERAyo_303720921.jpg&size=article_medium)
Nat Cood, CODER, Opadokun
The party said this in a statement by its national co-ordinator, Ayo Opadokun.
The statement reads: "The Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform, CODER wishes to alert the nation in general, the civil society groups ad other stakeholders who are campaigning vigorously for a free, fair and credible election in 2010 that prospects for a credible election are getting dimmed and shattered by the Prof. Attahiru Jega-led INEC.
For example, our latest findings of the current activities of INEC reveal the following namely, that:
"That the unofficially announced January 6, 2011 date for holding the governorship election in Delta is as a result of internal conspiracy of two or three people who appeared to be instigating the chairman to act illegally for their private interests.
"For example, CODER wondered at what kind of desperation will lead Attahiru Jega's INEC (a creation of the constitution) to fix Delta's election for 6/1/11 after it has been officially served apparently to ignore and disobey an Asaba State High Court interim injunction obtained on 17/12/2010 which is to remain until January 11, 2010 when the court will listen to the prayers of the Plaintiff, Nkem J. Madezia of the Republican Party and the response of the defendants, namely, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Delta State, Mr. Ovie-Omo-Agege, and Mrs. Carol Enuha.
The implication is that if INEC goes ahead to conduct the said election on January 6, 2011, the Plaintiff will just prevail on the court to cancel the election because it must have been held in utter contempt of High Court injunction given on 17/12/2010.
"Apparently, some people in the legal department of INEC are bent on ignoring section 30 and particularly section 34 of the 2010 Electoral Act which provides that "The Commission shall, at least 30 days before the day of the election publish by displaying or causing to be displayed at the relevant office or offices of the commission and on the commission's web site, a statement of the full names and addresses of all candidates standing nominated".
As of today the 27/12/2010 there is no official communication in respect of the official "Furthermore, INEC has chosen to repeat a critical mistake that led to the annulment of Dr. Uduaghan's election on November 9 instant which has to do with the fact that INEC failed to produce the register of Voters for 14 out of 25 local government areas.
"CODER appeals to Nigerians to rise up and reject the current attempt at the INEC Headquarters to arrogate to itself, powers, authorities that legally belong to the Resident Electoral matters.
The present situation whereby the Delta's REC official communication that no wards primary election was held to elect the current PDP State executive in Delta has been preferred to that of an unauthorised and compromised legal opinion given by the Legal department of the Commissions Headquarters."
CODER faults INEC on Delta rerun (http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/23030.html)