Court Bars INEC From Conducting Supplementary Governorship Election In Adamawa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been restrained from conducting the supplementary governorship election scheduled for March 23 in Adamawa State.

The restraining order was issued by a Yola High Court on Thursday following an ex parte motion filed by the Movement of Restoration for Defence of Democracy (MRPD) over alleged non-inclusion of its party logo on the ballot paper.

The ex parte motion was filed MRPD’s lawyer, Mr Mustapha Shaba.

INEC had announced that a supplementary election would be conducted to determine the winner of the governorship election after an earlier election conducted in the state on March 9 was declared inconclusive by the electoral body.

In his ruling, Justice Abdul-Aziz Waziri held that the party’s request that INEC be restrained from going on with the election without its party on the ballot was merited and was therefore granted.

“After a careful perusal of the annexure of the MRDD 1 to 5 alongside written address of counsel urging me to grant the application, I am of the view that the application is pregnant with merit and must be granted.

“I hereby grant the following order.

“The defendant herein, the INEC is restrained whether by themselves, their executives, servants, privies, representative nominees or any other person or persons from proceeding with the supplementary election in respect of Adamawa State Governorship pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

Justice Waziri adjourned the case to March 21 for further hearing.