The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will begin today the recall of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West).
A team headed by INEC National Commissioner might oversee the process, which may also involve its Operation Department.
A top INEC official, who spoke anonymously, said, “There is no restraining order from any court. We will go ahead with the first leg. But if along the line, INEC is stopped from going ahead with the exercise, we will stop it.
“Pasting the verification notice is just the first leg of the process, which cannot hurt Melaye in any way.
“Even the process does not amount to removing the senator. By virtue of Section 110, a lawmaker is only opportune to gauge the mood of his or her constituents on his or her performance.
“If a lawmaker is doing well, he or she should feel free to face the electorate. The process is not a setback at all for any lawmaker.”
Responding to a question, the source added, “A team to be coordinated by the National Commissioner for Northcentral will oversee the process. Definitely, the Operation Department will be involved.
“INEC will, however, seek legal opinion immediately it is served the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“We have subsisting court judgments, including those of the Court of Appeal, indicating that no court can stop a recall, which is like an election.”
The details of the timetable are as follows:
- Notice of Verification(July 10, 2017). To be posted at the constituency (INEC LGA office, Lokoja).
- Last day for submission of application by interested observers (31st July 2017). INEC headquarters.
- Last day for submission of names of verification agents for the member sought to be recalled and the petitioners (August 10, 2017). By a letter addressed and submitted to the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) indicating the Polling Unit verification agents arranged by LGAs as well as collation agents and where they will serve.
- Stakeholders meeting (August 15, 2017). INEC State Office.
- Conduct of Verification (August 19, 2017). To be held in the Polling Units in the constituency.
“The commission shall issue the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of referendum subject to the outcome of the verification exercise.”
Melaye had earlier taken to social media to post a court order seeking to stop the recall process:
INEC has been served Order restraining them from further action pic.twitter.com/5PoCdWs2x9
— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 10, 2017
— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 10, 2017
— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 10, 2017
— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) July 10, 2017
Nawa ooo. I think the best thing for Dino is being calm at this point and act behind the media pity.