The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained that it couldn’t have conducted by-election in the 27 seats declared vacant by the Rivers state House of Assembly while the case was still pending before the court.
The electoral body noted that while the Commission was aware of the situation in the Rivers State House of Assembly, it had to wait for the verdict from the court of law before embarking on a futile exercise.
TheHintsNews reports that about four lawmakers loyal to Fubara had declared the seats of 27 members of Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike vacant following their alleged defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Against this background, the state Assembly and the state government called on the electoral body to conduct fresh by-election into the 27 seats declared vacant.
The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi in a statement issued Friday said people occupying high public offices to be circumspect in their public statements before they mislead the public and cast aspersions on public institutions, particularly where they are aware of the pendency of cases in court.
He said: “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.
“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.
“We urge people occupying high public offices to be circumspect in their public statements before they mislead the public and cast aspersions on public institutions, particularly where they are aware of the pendency of cases in court.”
However, the Supreme Court has stopped allocation to Rivers State until an appropriation law is duly enacted.
It also ruled that Martin Ameawhule and 26 other lawmakers loyal to Wike remained members of the State House of Assembly and should resume sitting immediately.
The apex court in a judgement delivered Friday also held that the impeachment concerns raised by the governor is not cogent enough for the affront on the assemblu.
It also nullified the local government elections conducted recently by the state government.