A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must recognise the leadership of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) elected at a recent emergency convention.
The court found that INEC acted unlawfully by refusing to monitor the NRM’s convention held on 17 January, which saw Edozie Njoku elected as the party’s national chairman.
Justice Obiorah Egwuatu stated that INEC had failed in its constitutional duty by not overseeing the convention, which the NRM said was necessary to fill vacant positions and address imbalances within its national executive committee.
INEC had refused to accept the outcome of the convention, citing its absence as an observer. However, the court ruled that the NRM had provided INEC with the required 21-day notice, and therefore the electoral body had no grounds for refusing to attend.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 82(1) and 83(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the respondent is under a constitutional obligation to accept and monitor the emergency convention of the applicant,” Justice Egwuatu declared.
The court issued a mandamus order, compelling INEC to recognise the decisions made at the NRM convention.
Following the ruling, NRM National Chairman Edozie Njoku called on INEC to comply with the court order.
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