DINO MELAYE’S RECALL BEGINS TODAY

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will begin

the recall of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) today.

However the supporters of the embattled senator have been

pleading with some Christian clerics to intervene in the matter.

A top INEC official disclosed that “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.”

When ask 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.”

Melaye’s counsel Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) flew into Abuja

yesterday.

The INEC timetable shows that Melaye’s recall will run from July

10th to August 19th.

The notice, released July 3, 2017, reads: “In exercise of the powers

conferred on the Independent National Electoral Commission

(“the Commission”) by Sections 69 and 110 of the Constitution of

the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); Section 116 of

the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and of all the powers

enabling it in that behalf, the commission hereby issues this

timetable schedule of activities for the recall of the Senator

representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Kogi State.”

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.”