From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has faulted the claims by Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, that the commission was selective in implementation of elections to fill vacancies arising from the defection of serving members of the National and State Assemblies from one political party to another.
The commission claimed that though no specific instance of the alleged selective action were presented, the statement had specifically accused it of deliberate failure to fill the vacancies resulting from the protracted crisis in the State House of Assembly where two factions are jostling for control.
INEC, in a statement by Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, attributed the delay in acting on the matter pending in the court, which will result to subjudice.
“Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Governor 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 Assemblies 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,” the statement from INEC read.
Advising the Rivers governor, the commission noted: “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 pendancy of cases in court.”
