ABUJA – The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday announced the suspension of all preparations for the Adamawa State governorship by-election scheduled for October 11.
The commission also called off a consultative stakeholders meeting earlier scheduled to commence on Wednesday ahead of the October 11 governorship by-election in Adamawa State.
The Acting Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Musa H. Adamu, made the announcement of the suspension of activities in a terse statement in a reaction to the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja which stopped the by-election and ordered the immediate inauguration of a former Deputy Governor of the State, Bala Ngilari.
He said, “The Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday, October 8 2014, delivered judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/545/2014 between Barrister Bala James Nggilari vs. Speaker, Adamawa State House of Assembly & 5 Ors.
“The Court declared that Barrister Bala James Nggilari did not resign from his office as Deputy Governor of Adamawa State as required by the Constitution and granted, among others, an order restraining INEC from conducting a bye-election to fill the office of Governor of Adamawa State.
“In compliance with the court order, INEC hereby suspends all preparations for the conduct of governorship bye-election in Adamawa State, which was scheduled to hold on Saturday, October 11, 2014.”
Meanwhile, INEC has called off a consultative stakeholders meeting earlier scheduled to commence today ahead of the October 11 governorship by-election in Adamawa State.
This followed a High Court ruling which stopped the by-election and ordered the immediate inauguration of a former Deputy Governor of the State. [eap_ad_1] The consultative meeting with stakeholders was convened by INEC to find out ways of conducting the election in the face of security challenges in the State.
Our correspondent recalls that Adamawa State has been under the grip of members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect.
The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said this in an interview with THE PUNCH during an inquiry to ascertain the commission’s reaction to the court order.
He said, “The stakeholders meeting has been cancelled sine dine because of the Court ruling; the chairman who ordered the cancellation said he has been briefed based on the court order and in compliance with the rule of law.”
A source told our correspondent that all the Heads of the security agencies including the inspector-General of Police and Department of State Security were already present.
Idowu also said a formal press statement would be issued later from INEC Headquarters. (Punch)
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