Janet Samuel
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has debunked claims by the Rivers State government of being selective in the implementation of elections to fill vacancies arising from the defection of serving members of the National and State Assembly.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi said that the statement credited to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara 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 contesting for control.
According to Oyekanmi, despite being aware of the situation in the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Commission must await the final judicial pronouncement on the matter, as it is pending in court and, therefore, subjudice.
“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”, he said.
The Commission therefore appealed to high public service holders to avoid statements that could mislead the general public.
“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 pendency of cases in court.
