NSIEC Begins Process For LG Election Despite Court Order

BY ABU NMODU, Minna

Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) has expressed readiness for the November 10, 2022 local government election even as a Federal High Court sitting in Minna has again asked the attorney general of the state to advise the commission to suspend the process of the election.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had approached the court alleging violation of  provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act in the conduct of the election.

Consequently, the case was adjourned for hearing of all pending applications and the substantive matter but the plaintiff’s counsel, Mohammed Ndayako (SAN) drew the attention of the court to a notice of polls recently issued by the second defendant, NSIEC.

Counsel to the plaintiff submitted that the action amounted to impunity, considering the court’s directive to the attorney general.

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The third defendant and attorney general of the state, Nasara Danmallam, argued that the action of the commission did not amount to impunity as it had already issued a notice of election in July 2022 in furtherance of its mandate under the law.

He also argued that the election was time-bound, submitting that the law requires that the election must be conducted 39 days before the expiration of the tenure of the occupants of the various elected offices in the local government areas, citing section 84 (15) of the Electoral Act.

Justice Aminu Garba however insisted on his earlier order that the attorney general of the state should advise the commission on suspending the election and adjourned the case to November 2, 2022 for parties in the suit to address the court on whether it has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the case.