The Independent National Electoral Commission has said that it is awaiting the court’s decision on the candidacy of the All Progressives Congress for the November 11 Bayelsa State governorship election.
The Chief Press Secretary to INEC, Rotimi Oyekanmi, made this known on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ program.
Oyekanmi said that INEC cannot make any decisions on the matter until a court order is given. He added that the commission respects court orders and will abide by whatever decision is made by the court.
“This is the situation – when there are legal cases, you have to wait until the end of the legal issues.
“Because things can happen within a few days or a few weeks. If you have something today and the person is appealing to a higher court, you have to wait until the higher court takes a decision,” he said
He added, “What I am saying is that, when the final decision on that particular matter is taken, the commission will come out to say, ‘This is exactly what the situation is’. But please, let’s take it easy, and let’s wait till the commission takes that decision.”
Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja had in September dismissed a suit seeking the disqualification of the APC governorship candidate, Timipre Sylvia.
However, the plaintiff has appealed the ruling, and the matter is currently pending before the Court of Appeal.
Oyekanmi said that INEC will await the outcome of the appeal before making any further decisions on the matter.
