INEC fixes date for commencement of Melaye’s recall process

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday said the recall process of Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, will commence on April 28.

James Apam, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Kogi, disclosed this in Lokoja at a stakeholders meeting which had representatives of various political parties and other stakeholders in attendance.

He said the commission’s position was based on the recent court of appeal ruling.

Apam described INEC as a law abiding organisation and would adhere strictly to the pronouncement of the court of appeal which ordered the commission to restart the recall process.

He said the process would start with verification of signatures of the electorate on the recall register, adding that at least 51 per cent of the signatures must be fully verified.

A referendum of the electorate would be conducted on May 5, adding that this would depend on the success of the verification exercise being able to verify at least 51 per cent of the signatures.

“We will invite all those that signed the recall register to come forward to identify their signatures,” he said.

“ If this process is successful, the commission will proceed to the next stage where a referendum of all registered voters would be conducted.

“Here, voters will be asked to vote either yes or no to the question of whether they want Sen. Dino Melaye recalled.

“If they are able to meet the constitutional requirement of 51 per cent yes, the process moves to the next stage, but if it fails, the process stops,’’ Apam said.

The appeal court last week struck out Melaye’s suit challenging the move to recall him and ordered INEC to commence the process.

The senator has vowed to proceed to the supreme court in a bid to stop INEC from proceeding with the process.

Apam said that INEC, as a law abiding body, would stop the process should the supreme court eventually rule against it.