President Goodluck Jonathan, the National Security Adviser, Col Sambo
Dasuki (Rtd) and the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex
Badeh, challenging the legality of their powers to effect a
postponement of elections already scheduled by the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Also joined as co-defendants in the court filed at the Federal High
Court in Abuja are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and
Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke as well as INEC.
In the originating summon issued by counsel to HDP, Mr. Okechukwu
Ehogwu, the plaintiff is asking the court to declare that the
purported postponement of the scheduled February 14 presidential
election was not in conformity with the provisions of the law since
there was no natural disaster or natural emergency.
The party also canvassed that the letter of information from the Chief
of Defence staff and the National Security Adviser dated February 3 to
INEC on their inability and failure to guarantee security for
Nigerians does not qualify as a natural disaster or emergency that
could warrant election postponement.
The Plaintiff, who also has a presidential candidate, also asked for
court declaration that INEC was not under any duty or bound to obey or
comply with any unverified or cogent reasons to postpone scheduled
election in the absence of a natural disaster.
The party is praying the court for an order restraining the Chief of
Defence Staff, NSA, President Jonathan and AGF from further
interfering in the party's right to participate in an election and to
also stop the usurpation of powers of INEC under any guise.
--ChannelsTV
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