Court Stops INEC From Collating Bauchi Governorship Election Results

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the collation, concluding and announcing the result of the governorship election in Bauchi State held on March 9 by the electoral body.

The order issued on the strength of an ex parte application filed by the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the incumbent Governor of Bauchi State, Mohamed Abubakar, shall however last till the determination of the suit brought before the court by the two plaintiffs.

They asked the court for a declaration that INEC cannot review what a collation officer has cancelled, and having made a pronouncement for a supplementary election they cannot go back on it.

They also told the court that the powers of the Electoral officer having declared the election inconclusive can only be Overturn by the court.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had announced that it will no longer go ahead with a supplementary election in Bauchi state. Instead it will conclude with the collation of results in the remaining local government in the state.

Definite hearing has been fixed for March 20th 2019.