INEC replies Senate: Only court can stop Dino Melaye’s recall process

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that only a legitimate court order can stop the recall process of Senator Dino Melaye.
Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said this on Tuesday while speaking to newsmen in Abuja.
The commission has already fixed August 19 for verification of signatures of petitioners demanding Melaye’s recall, amid various lawsuits instituted to stop the process.
“The constituents came with sacks of documents which they said were `the signatures’ of more than half of the voting population of Kogi West Senatorial District, which Melaye represents.
“They also presented a register of the said signatories and a letter, asking INEC to begin the process of recalling the Senator representing that particular district.
“Subsequently, the commission, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Sections 116 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), on Monday issued a timetable and schedule of activities for the recall of the Senator.
“The first stage is a verification exercise slated for July 10, 2017. “To that extent, filing a lawsuit is not enough to stop INEC from carrying out its legitimate duty.
“Only a legitimate court order or an injunction can be considered by the commission,” he said.
On claims by Melaye that some of the signatures submitted to INEC were forged and that names of dead registered voters were also included, Oyekanmi said: “The commission will adopt its normal way of conducting the verification exercise, which will be applicable to both the literate and not-so-literate.”
Earlier today, Nigerian Senate reacted to the recall process of one of its members and Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye.
Melaye raised the issue of his recall by his constituents on the floor of the house and accused Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello of sponsoring the process.
The Senate via its Twitter handle said it “would also verify the legitimacy of the votes before a conclusion is made.”
The handle also quoted Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, as saying “The recall process is dead on arrival going by the constitution,” adding that “It’s a long process after the verification of votes.”