The Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday issued a warning regarding the handling of vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly, following allegations from Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The governor had accused INEC of selectively implementing elections to fill vacancies caused by political defections, particularly in light of the ongoing factional crisis in the Assembly.
However, INEC, in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, made it clear that the matter is still sub judice, with multiple court cases, including those before the Supreme Court, awaiting final decisions.
“Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in which the Commission was accused of selective implementation of elections to fill vacancies arising from the defection of serving members of the National and State Assembly from one political party to another.
“While no specific instances of the alleged selective action were presented, the statement specifically accused the Commission of deliberate failure to fill the vacancies resulting from the protracted crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly where two factions are jostling for control.
“In the midst of the crisis, three or so lawmakers have declared the seats of 27 members vacant and vice versa.
“While the Commission is aware of the situation in the Rivers State House of Assembly, the matter is pending in court and, therefore, subjudice,” Oyekanmi said.
In its response, the commission stated that any attempt to act before the courts render a ruling could lead to the unnecessary waste of public funds and potentially result in the nullification of any actions taken.
By proceeding prematurely, INEC warned, the commission could inadvertently engage in an exercise that may be legally invalid, squandering money and time on a process that could ultimately be deemed futile.
“This is why the Commission has opted to respect the judicial process, awaiting the final pronouncement of the courts before taking any further steps.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission has been joined in several suits filed by litigants at various courts, including the Supreme Court.
“Under the circumstances, the Commission must await the final judicial pronouncement on the matter before it embarks on a puerile exercise that may eventually amount to a nullity and a waste of public funds,” the statement said.
The commission also cautioned public officials to refrain from making misleading statements that could misguide the public, particularly when the matter is still under legal scrutiny.
“We urge people occupying high public offices to be circumspect in their public statements before they mislead the public and cast aspersion on public institutions, particularly where they are aware of the pendency of cases in court,” the statement added.
