The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has attributed its silence on the ongoing crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly to multiple conflicting court judgments surrounding the issue.
The controversy began when a faction loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara requested INEC to conduct a by-election to fill the seats of 25 Assembly members aligned with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
INEC has faced criticism from some Nigerians for its perceived inaction on the matter.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting with media executives at INEC headquarters in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, explained that the commission’s hesitation stems from contradictory judgments issued by both state and federal courts.
He noted that this legal deadlock has also prevented INEC from holding a by-election for a vacant seat following the death of one Assembly member.
“The seats of 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were declared vacant by three other members, while the 25 members also declared the seats of those three vacant,” Yakubu explained. “Subsequent rulings from both the Rivers High Court and the Federal High Court offered conflicting views on the legitimacy of these groups.
INEC has been monitoring these developments, but we are currently seeking input from Nigerians, particularly legal experts, on the next steps.”
Yakubu also announced that INEC is aiming to conduct by-elections for vacant seats in the House of Representatives in mid-December, following the death and resignation of certain members.
The commission, he added, is finalizing logistics and will soon announce official election dates.
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