From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, to refrain from making misplaced allegations against the Commission regarding political defections by serving members of the National and State Assemblies, stating that the governor is misleading the public.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the Commission’s attention had been drawn to remarks attributed to Governor Fubara, accusing INEC of selectively conducting elections to fill vacancies arising from the defection of lawmakers from one political party to another.
According to INEC, “While no specific instances of the alleged selective action were presented, the statement specifically accused the Commission of deliberately failing to fill vacancies resulting from the protracted crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly, where two factions are jostling for control.”
The Commission acknowledged the situation in the Rivers State House of Assembly, where three lawmakers reportedly declared the seats of 27 members vacant, and vice versa. However, INEC clarified that the matter is currently before the courts and is therefore sub judice.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission has been named in several lawsuits filed by litigants in various courts, including the Supreme Court. Under these circumstances, the Commission must await a final judicial pronouncement before taking any action that could ultimately amount to a nullity and a waste of public funds,” the statement read.
INEC further cautioned public officials against making statements that could mislead the public and undermine public institutions, particularly when they are aware that the matter is still pending in court.
“We urge individuals occupying high public offices to be circumspect in their public statements to avoid misleading the public and casting aspersions on public institutions, especially when legal proceedings on the matter are ongoing,” the Commission stated.