2023: Peter Obi Group Drags INEC To Court Over Suspension Of Voters Registration

The Peter Obi Support Network (POSN) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its refusal to comply with sections of the constitution which states that the Commission continues voter registration until at least 90 days before elections.

The group, in a suit filed by Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN & Co., the plaintiffs, insisted that the termination of the registration process would disenfranchise millions of Nigerians during the 2023 election.

The suit, which was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeks an order compelling the electoral body to resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

The Plaintiffs raised the following issues for Determination: “Whether having regards to the combined provisions of Sections 76(2), 77(2), 116(2), 117(2), 132(2) & (5) and 178 (2) & (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) as well as Sections 9(1), 9 (6), 10(1) and 12(1) of the Electoral Acts, 2022, the Defendant can or has the right or latitude to stop the continuous voter’s registration on 31st July, 2022, about over Seven and Half (71/2) months (208 days), or any other day not until ninety (90) days before the General Elections when there are millions of prospective voters including the Plaintiffs who have not Registered and are willing to do so.”

The Plaintiffs prayed the court for the following reliefs:

“A DECLARATION that the Defendant is expected pursuant to the provisions of Sections 76(2), 77(2), 116(2), 117(2), 132(2) & (5) and 178 (2) & (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) as well as Sections 9(1), 9 (6), 10(1) and 12(1) of the Electoral Acts, 2022, to continue voters Registration, update and Revision of voters register till 90 days before the General Election billed to take place on 25th February 2023 and 11th March 2023.

“A DECLARATION that it is the Constitutional responsibility of the Defendant to make sure that every prospective Nigeria voter who has shown a desire to Register to vote are not derived their Civil right to Register and participate in the forthcoming General Elections Scheduled to take place on 25th February 2023 and 11th March 2023.

“AN ORDER OF COURT directing the Defendant to Resume immediately the Registration of new voters, updating and Revision of the Register of voters until at least 90 days to the General Election slated to hold on 25th February 2023 and 11th March 2023.”

This article was originally published on Naija News