KEY POINTS
- INEC denies disobeying court order in Action Alliance case.
- Commission says it complied within court’s deadline.
- INEC cites pending appeal blocking Omoaje’s recognition.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected claims that it ignored a Federal High Court order related to the Action Alliance’s leadership tussle.
Reports earlier this week alleged the Osogbo division of the court ordered the arrest of former INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, for failing to comply with a September 29 judgment.
INEC defends compliance in Action Alliance case
INEC said the reports misrepresented the facts, portraying a corporate legal matter as a personal issue.
In a Friday statement, National Commissioner Sam Olumekun called the reports “misleading,” saying the commission had already acted in line with the court’s decision. He said INEC filed its compliance documents at the Osogbo court on October 6, well within the court’s deadline.
The commission also presented proof from its internal dashboard showing that the Action Alliance executive elected in Abeokuta in October 2023 had been recognised. However, a counter-affidavit claimed INEC listed only four national executives without naming National Chairman Rufai Omoaje.
Appeal Court ruling blocks Omoaje recognition
Olumekun said the omission was due to a pending appeal by Omoaje at the Supreme Court. “The judgment of the Court of Appeal remains superior to that of the Federal High Court,” he said. “We cannot list Omoaje as chairman while that ruling stands.”
INEC reiterated its respect for court orders and urged the media to fact-check stories before publication to prevent misleading the public.
