The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may consider the leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) next week, following the expected return of its chairman from an official engagement.
Disclosing this in a telephone interview, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, was responding to questions on whether the commission had received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the High Court judgement on the ADC leadership dispute.
He said that as of Tuesday night, the commission had yet to receive the certified copy of the judgement, although it had received the party’s appeal against the ruling and its application for a stay of execution.
“I’m not aware we received the CTC. We still haven’t received it,” Haruna said.
“What we had received was the appeal by ADC and the application for a stay. I think those ones were received. But as for the certified true copy of the judgement, we still haven’t received it,” he added.
Asked how soon the commission could take a position on the matter once the court document was received, Haruna said the decision would require a meeting of the commission.
He explained that INEC’s chairman was away on an official engagement and would not be available for the commission’s scheduled meeting.
According to him, the commission usually holds its meetings on Thursdays, although it sometimes convenes on Tuesdays.
He said the chairman was expected to return on Sunday, raising the possibility of a commission meeting on Tuesday or Thursday next week.
“As soon as he’s back, I’m sure we’ll probably hold a meeting,” Haruna said.
When asked whether Tuesday next week was a possible date for the meeting, he replied: “Possibly even Tuesday. Because I think he should be back before then.”
He cautioned against treating the proposed dates as definite, noting that he could not give a firm assurance on when the commission would meet or reach a decision.
His comments suggest that the ADC leadership dispute could come before the commission next week, subject to the receipt of the certified judgement and the availability of the INEC chairman and other commissioners
