The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, against making misleading statements regarding political defections, particularly concerning lawmakers.
INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, issued a statement on Friday in Abuja, responding to remarks attributed to Governor Fubara. The governor had accused the electoral body of selectively conducting elections to fill vacancies created by the defection of serving members of the National and State Assemblies.
Oyekanmi noted that while Fubara did not provide specific instances of such alleged selective actions, his statement directly accused INEC of deliberately failing to address vacancies caused by the ongoing political crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly. The crisis has led to divisions, with two factions struggling for control.
He said, “In the midst of the crisis, three or so lawmakers have declared the seats of 27 members vacant and vice versa.
“While the Commission is aware of the situation in the Rivers State House of Assembly, the matter is pending in court and, therefore, sub judice.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission has been joined in several suits filed by litigants at various courts, including the Supreme Court.
“Under the circumstances, the Commission must await the final judicial pronouncement on the matter before it embarks on a puerile exercise that may eventually amount to a nullity and a waste of public funds.
“We urge people occupying high public offices to be circumspect in their public statements before they mislead the public and cast aspersion on public institutions, particularly where they are aware of the pendancy of cases in court.”
