We’re yet to get a copy of the judgment, status quo remains —INEC

By Clifford Ndujihe, Chris Ochayi & Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA—ELEVEN Senate and House of Representatives candidates under the Ejike Oguebego-led executive of  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State, have called on the Chairman,  Independent National Electoral Commission,  INEC, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, to obey the January 29 Supreme Court judgment and  issue them Certificates of Return without further delay.

The candidates – Senator Annie Okonkwo, Chris Uba and John Emeka among others said they remain the PDP candidates for the 2015 polls as opposed to Dr Andy Uba, Stella Oduah and others who are currently in the National Assembly. According to them, The Supreme Court judgment set aside the order of the Court of Appeal, which led to the removal of the list of candidates submitted by the Anambra State Chairman of the PDP before the 2015 general election.

Their counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, wondered why INEC is finding it difficult to obey the judgment of the Supreme Court.

Uche said that when the Federal High Court gave its ruling on the issue,  INEC complied immediately without seeking for clarification and that when the court of appeal over turned the decision of the Federal High Court, the electoral body complied with the appellate court’s decision without seeking for any clarification.

“I am surprised that the same INEC has found it difficult to act on the Supreme Court decision of January 29 the way it acted on the decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal,” noting that the INEC had claimed that the January 29 judgment was confusing and decided to approach the apex court for clarifications but the court frowned at the move, saying that its ruling does not need any interpretation because it was clear and unambiguous.

‘’INEC had never denied the fact that it removed the names of candidates sent to it by the recognized PDP leadership in Anambra State because of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which has now been set aside by the Supreme Court. If the judgment upon which INEC based its decision has been set aside then the candidates elected on that list automatically fall with the judgment.

Justice H.A. Ngajiwa of the Federal High Court had earlier in a judgment delivered on September 12, 2013, affirmed Oguebego and members of his team as constituting the authentic executive committee of the PDP in Anambra and  stopped INEC from accepting list from any other body other than the Oguebego led executives in the state for the purpose of the 2015 election into the National Assembly.

However, the PDP set up a caretaker committee that organized the primary election that submitted the list containing the names of Senator Uche Ekwunife who was sacked by the Court of Appeal, for not been a product of a valid primary election, Senator Stella Oduah, Senator Andy Uba and others.

‘INEC must do the needful’

Speaking in like manner, the eight House of Representatives candidates, insisted that INEC must do the needful by issuing them Certificates of Return, having been recognized by two separate court judgments.

The candidates who spoke with the media in Abuja, are Hon. Emma Nwekke, Hon. Julius Oforma, Hon. Benny Obaze, Hon. Ejike Nwene, Hon. Tony Offiah, Hon. Ify Anazonwu, Hon. Uche Obi and Hon. Charles Odedo, where they collectively told INEC there was no reason for further delay.

According to  Tony Offiah, who spoke on their behalf, “Nigerians are watching the actions of INEC. Despite being given recognition by the High court and the Supreme Court,  INEC has continued to disobey the judgment of. Court law. It is important we go by the mantra of the government of the day, which is change.

‘’After the judgment of the Supreme Court on January 29, INEC, through its lawyer had said that he will advise his client to do the needful. For us to get things done politically, INEC should do the right thing,” he said.

We are yet to get Supreme Court judgment – INEC

Reacting to the call, yesterday, the INEC said it would in the interim maintain the status quo until it gets and reads the Supreme Court verdict.

Director in charge of Publicity, Voter Education and Civil Society and Gender Liaison, Oluwole Osaze-Uzi told Vanguard that the commission was not yet in receipt of a copy of the court judgment.

He expressed hope that INEC would be able to get a copy of the judgment today (Monday), study it and then make its position known.

“As a matter of fact, we have not gotten a copy of that judgment. We could not get it before the close of work last Friday. We hope to be able to get it on Monday and then study it before taking our own decision,” he said.

He added that if possible, INEC may still explore other legal options after studying the judgment.