Main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), over what it considers as violation of Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act by Justice Ekwo Inyang of the Federal High Court for sitting on a matter that ought to have been handled by an election petition tribunal, as created by the provisions of Nigerian laws.
PDP stated in the petition that by granting an ex-parte order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from concluding the governorship election in Bauchi State, Justice Inyang violated Section 87(11) of the Electoral Act, which states that: “no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election pending the determination of a suit.”
In an affidavit sworn to by the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus in Abuja, the party stated that issues of collation of results and declaration of winner was a post-election event and, therefore, falls under the Electoral Act and Constitutional provisions for the election petition tribunal.
The affidavit read: “Despite this clear provision of the law, Justice Ekwo decided to hear the application of Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), within twenty four hours on 19th March, 2019 and issued an order on INEC not to continue with the election until the case before him is finally decided.
“That the collation of results is a post-election event and under section 87(11) of the Electoral Act, no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election pending the determination of a suit.
“That an election includes voting, collation of results and the declaration of results.
“That as a result of the order on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the conclusion of the Bauchi State Governorship election which was to take place on 19th March 2019 was stalled.
“That the order of Justice Ekwo was made contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended dealing without fair hearing and also section 87(11) of the Electoral Act.
“That the Chief Justice of Nigeria has constituted the various Election Petition Tribunals in Nigeria to handle such cases and the assumption of jurisdiction by Justice Inyang Ekwo is an affront to the constitution and electoral wishes of the people of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area and Bauchi State.”
PDP insisted that, “not only has Justice Inyang violated the clear provisions of the Electoral Act, the motion granted is also an affront to the electoral wishes of the people of Bauchi State who have clearly chosen their next governor in voting for the PDP’s candidate, Sen. Bala Mohammed.”
The main opposition party therefore urged the NJC to save our democracy by taking an urgent step against the violations by Justice Inyang.