The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why it is yet to take a stance on the judgment which sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State.
Speaking at the end of the management meeting of the commission on Thursday, March 24, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye said they can’t take any action at the moment because of multiple court cases.
Okoye said;
“It will be recalled that the commission met on Thursday 17th March on the matter, decided to defer its deliberation on the Ebonyi cases, and stepped down the listed Memorandum to enable its Legal Services and Clearance Committee to study the new processes served on it in the light of the previously served ones and advise the Commission comprehensively.
“Since then, the commission has been served yet more Court Processes on the same matter, bringing the total to 12.
“The Commission deliberated extensively on these cases and decided to further suspend action on the defection of the Governor and Deputy-Governor of Ebonyi State and 16 members of the State House of Assembly from the PDP to the APC in the light of the conflicting judgments and orders served on it from Courts of coordinate jurisdiction”
The INEC Commissioner also averred that they consider it prudent to stay action on the conflicting judgments and orders being aware of the pendency of Appeals and Motions for Stay of Execution of some of the judgments before various divisions of the Court of Appeal.
