The Chairman of Independent Electoral commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday, said the commission is yet to get the court order compelling the body to register Young Democratic Party (YDP) as one of the political parties eligible to participate in the 2015 general elections.
A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, had ruled that INEC should include YDP in the ballot paper to enable it take part in the March 28 and April 11 elections.
Jega made the disclosure during a plenary meeting of the National Peace Committee for 2015 General Elections, chaired by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), held in Abuja.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abbah, were also invited to brief the committee on matters relating to the forthcoming elections.
While responding to question by the committee on INEC’s disposition to the latest court pronouncement on the registration of the party, Jega said INEC has not gotten a court order on the judgement.
A reliable source, who was part of the closed door meeting but did not want the name mentioned, told Newswatch Times.
According to the source, Jega assured the committee that the commission would react appropriately, either by filing an appeal or otherwise, as soon as it is served.
“The INEC has just heard the court’s decision through the media. We are yet to receive the court order,” Jega had responded.
However, all efforts to talk to the INEC boss failed as he refused to speak to the media shortly before his departure.
Other dignitaries in attendance included the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar; the Catholic Bishop of Abuja, John Onaiyekan: the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Marthew kukah; Commondore Ebitu Ukwe, Senator Ben Obi, Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council and Yunusa Tanko, among others.
•Adapted from Newswatch Times. Photo shows Jega.
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