More trouble for Melaye as INEC begins recall process

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will commence the recall process of Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, on Saturday.

This follows a recent ruling by the appeal court which gave INEC the go-ahead to carry out the exercise.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Kogi on Wednesday, Mohammed Haruna, INEC federal commissioner, said the verification of signatures of those seeking to recall the senator will commence on that day.

He said the verification exercise would hold in 552 polling units in seven local governments under Kogi west senatorial district.

He also said the card reading machines will be used to authenticate the voter cards of those that signed the recall petition.

“Only those who signed the petition are expected to turn up at their polling units for verification,” Haruna said.

Also speaking, James Apam, INEC resident electoral commissioner for the state, said local observers would be allowed to monitor the exercise.

The REC said that no party agents would be allowed access to any of the polling units, and that the result of the exercise will be announced on April 29.

He added: “We have concluded all arrangements in line with our schedule of activities and are set for the exercise.

“The ad-hoc staff have been trained at the state and local government levels and materials procured and sent to the registration area centres ready for movement to the polling units on the day of verification.”

Melaye is currently in a hospital after sustaining injuries while trying to escape from the police vehicle conveying him to a court in Lokoja, Kogi capital.

He has been accused of supplying guns to some murder suspects, an allegation the lawmaker denied.