A group of registered voters from Kogi West senatorial district have taken the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and seven local government chairmen to court over allegations of warehousing Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), Illegal procession of more than one PVC, and alleged forgery of signatures of registered voters to recall Senator Dino Melaye.
They also join Special adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Political Matters, Hon Pius Kolawole, Special Adviser on Youth and Students MD Eseyin, Security Adviser to the Governor, Cmdr Omodara rtd in the suit before an Abuja Division of the Federal High Court
The spokespersons of the group, Olowosayo Gabriel and Amupitan Segun expressed concerns, suspicion and doubt on the sincerity and independence of INEC on the entire process.
The speakers said that emerging facts from the scenario formed a substantial part of why they settled for judicial interpretation of the whole process.
“On behalf of the concerned Kogi west registered voters across the 7 local government areas, we wish to address you gentleman of the press on the alleged ongoing attempt to recall Senator Dino Melaye, Senator representing kogi west senatorial district by some individuals sponsored by the government of kogi state.
“This press conference became more important in view of the press release credited to the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] that it has received signatures of above 188,000 registered voters in Kogi West.
“We like to state as following;’
That on noticing gross violation and several breaches of the electoral act and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by forging the signatures of several of us the registered voters, we have approached the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking for among others an immediate order of the court for all parties involved in the alleged recall to maintain “status quo ante bellum” on the matter pending the determination of our orignating summons.
“That as at the last announcement, INEC itself agreed and announced a figure of PVCs collection in Kogi West that is far less than the alleged 188,000 signature.
“That we are aware that there is possible connivance between the people on the recall agenda and INEC because we have evidence of photograph of PVCs in thousands gathered together for the recall, an act contrary to the electoral acts.
“That as at the last announcement, INEC itself agreed and announced a figure of pvc collection in Kogi West that is far less than the alleged 188,000 signature.
“That we are aware that there is possible connivance between the people on the recall agenda and INEC because we have evidence of photograph of pvcs in thousands gathered together for the recall, an act contrary to the electoral acts.
“That at no point was signature taking process conducted by anybody in Kogi West.
“That INEC being a constitutional constituted organ of government should halt any further action pending the court’s adjudication.
“That the people of Kogi West have sued those involved to court for forgery of their signature in a desperate attempt to recall Senator Dino Melaye.
“It is in the light of this that we wish to announce to the whole world that a legal process has been initiated on the subject matter hence all matter relating to recall be suspended forthwith”.
Copies of the Exparte motion and Originating summons filed alongside several exhibits was presented to Journalists.
