Ajeromi/Ifelodun: INEC insists on fresh election despite court order

The Independent National Electoral Commission, ( INEC) has declared its intention to conduct a supplementary election in Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Federal Constituency, Lagos State.

The February 23 National Assembly election was declared inconclusive in the Constituency by the electoral umpire and no date has been fixed for the poll.

But in a suit instituted by Honourable Rita Orji, incumbent lawmaker and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Justice Bello Kawu of the Federal High Court, Abuja ordered the INEC to declare the result of the February 23, 2019, National Assembly elections for Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituency in Lagos state.

Tribune Online findings revealed that Defendants/ Respondents in the suit were INEC,  the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Lagos state and the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

Others were Honourable Kolawole Taiwo, Mr Adeshola Taiwo and Mr Ulocha Nnabugwu Oscar.

Further findings revealed that the electoral umpire has fixed today ( Wednesday) for a stakeholders meeting on what it called “supplementary election in the Constituency.”

A statement signed by Femi Akinbiyi, Director and Head of Voter’s Education,  INEC, Lagos state,  said the event would hold at 11: am.

“The venue is the INEC office in Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Government.”

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The spokesman said no date has been fixed for the poll but expressed the Commission’s readiness to conclude the election in a peaceful atmosphere, with the cooperation of the stakeholders.

The statement further revealed that the supplementary election would be conducted in 71 Polling Units across 8 wards of Ajeromi/ Ifelodun with 8, 984 registered voters.”

Reacting to the development on phone, Akinbiyi, however, told Nigerian Tribune that the meeting was not meant to disregard the order of Justice Bello Kawu, but to update all stakeholders.

He said:” The essence of the meeting is to discuss all issues. We aren’t saying we aren’t complying with Order of the Court. Why not wait till tomorrow ( Wednesday) for the outcome of the meeting? Please, don’t be preemptive. “.