Leadership: IPAC Calls on INEC to Obey Court Order by Maintaining Status Quo

Leadership: IPAC Calls on INEC to Obey Court Order by Maintaining Status Quo

 

 

 

By: Femi Mustspha

 

The Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obey a Court order suit NO: FOT/HC/CV/769/2023, MOTION NO: PCT that ruled that the current Executive Committee of the Council, whose tenure is expected to end 2023 are ordered to continue to manage the affairs of the council pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in this suit.

In a letter dated 25th January 2024 and signed by IPAC National chairman Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani stated that they know the INEC Chairman as a meticulous law-abiding leader who will always do things according to the dictate of the law.

“In this regard, we thought it wise to formally inform you of this new development so that things would be done according to legal due process.”

“We are not unaware that some self-serving individuals within the council may want to circumvent due process and the law by pretending that they are not aware of the court order.

“We want to advise that the staff of the Commission should not be deployed to monitor the illegal exercise and the INEC facilities in the state and FCT chapter should also not be released to any group of people masquerading as IPAC’s new executive to legitimize any illegal activities they may be planning.

“We use this medium to inform all stakeholders that the General Assembly and the National IPAC Executive are yet to take any decision on the constitution of new executives for the states.

“We are, however hopeful that all issues of disagreement will be resolved soonest. ”

It will be recalled that Action Democratic Party (ADP,) and Engineer Yabagi Yusuf Sani, claimant and applicant, had approached the court for the other against an Accord Party (A,)  Action Alliance (AA,) and 18 others as respondents.

“An Interim Order restraining the Defendants/Respondents whether acting as members, leadership or the electoral committee of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria either by themselves or through their Agents, Officers, Employees, Servants, Assigns, Privies, Representatives or otherwise howsoever called or described from inaugurating or considering for inauguration, any person so allegedly declared winner or victorious at the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) Election held on 18th December 2023 pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in this suit.”

“An Order directing the current Executive Committee of the Inter-party Advisory Council of Nigerian whose tenure is expected to end 2023 to continue to manage the affairs of the council pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in this suit.”

“An Order directing all the parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in this suit.”

“And for such further order(s) as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances…”

Justice O. A. Musa after listening to the party, granted orders one and two That is “That the current Executive Committee of the Inter-party Advisory Council of Nigerian whose tenure is expected to end 2023 ordered to continue to manage the affairs of the council pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in this suit.”

“That all the parties in this suit maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in this suit.”