INEC Vs High Court On Supplementary Polls In Adamawa
State High Court sitting in Adamawa, Thursday, issued an order restraining INEC from conducting supplementary electiona in the state slated for March 23, 2019.
The court order was sequel to the omission of a logo of MRDD a political party, by INEC for which its governorship candidate, Rev. Eric Theman (Dollars) filed a case for redress.
The Court, in a ruling delivered by Justice Abdulazeez, equally barred the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising the declared inconclusive governorship polls in Adamawa state.
The ruling followed a suit that was lodged before the High Court by National leadership of the Movement for the restoration of democracy.
Justice Abdulaziz, the Periscope Global Investigate will reveal, was the jurist who disqualified himself from adjudicating the case of certificate forgery filed against governor Bindow by Human Rights group.
Reacting, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), noted that nothing would stop it from conducting the supplementary polls in Adamawa state.
In an interview with newsmen, the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner Barr. Kassim Gana Gaidam said the electoral umpire has not received any court order.
“Alhough we are not aware of any court restraining INEC, however, let me tell you that court order will not stop any election.”
Gaidam cited sec 87 sub (10), of the electoral act to buttress his points.
One of the INEC officials, on condition of anonymity, lacking the formal jurisdiction to speak for the umpire, revealed to the Periscope Global Investigate that suspending supplementary elections in Adamawa state would only be honouring Justice Abdulaziz, because High Court lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate cases related to elections reserved exclusively, for Election Tribunals