INEC speaks on Rivers Assembly crisis
The INEC chairperson, Mahmud Yakubu says the commission is considering allowing political parties to replace candidates directly where seats become vacant by death or resignation instead of going for by-elections.
The INEC chairperson said such system is being followed in some countries.
He noted that frequent by-elections have created logistical issues, with INEC organising roughly 20 by-elections since the end of the 2023 general election.
Mr Yakubu indicated that the commission is consulting stakeholders on the feasibility of adopting this approach in Nigeria.
The INEC chairperson, however, said that the commission is considering holding by-elections in December for vacant House of Representatives and House of Assembly positions left vacant on account of deaths.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting with media executives at INEC headquarters in Abuja, Mr Yakubu said the confusion has forced the commission to be silent amid calls for intervention.
The power tussle between the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the former governor Nyesom Wike, has thrown the state assembly into crisis.
The Rivers State Assembly currently has two factions, one loyal to Mr Fubara and the other to Mr Wike. Both have declared the seats of their opposition vacant.
Mr Yakubu explained that contradictory court decisions at both state and federal levels have left INEC unsure of which group holds legitimate authority in the Assembly, complicating any immediate action.
“The seats of 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were declared vacant by three other members. The 25 members also declared the seats of the three vacant,” he said.
“After that, there was a court judgement from the Rivers High Court as well as the Federal High Court on the legitimacy of each of these groups of lawmakers.
