The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on Monday head to the Federal High Court Abuja to seek interpretation and clarification on the judgement which stated that it is the constitution and the Courts that have powers to disqualify candidates for elections.
THISDAY gathered that the commission is seeking clearer interpretations of order of court in view of different interpretations so far accorded the judgement of Justice Babs Kumumi last Wednesday in Abuja.
Lawyers to INEC led by Joe Gadzama (SAN) and Vice President Atiku Abubakar�s lawyer Ricky Tarfa (SAN) had variously claimed victory to the Justice Kuwumi�s judgement over who has the powers to disqualify candidates for the elections.
THISDAY gathered that it was in view of this different interpretation that the commission briefed its lawyer to seek proper legal interpretation of the judgement.
A source from the Legal Department of the commission told THISDAY � we have no special interest, but to ensure that the correct thing is done, the commission has directed that our lawyers seek the correct legal interpretation.�
�As the Action Congress (AC) and others whose candidates were affected by the decisions of the commission head to court, we shall as well be heading to the same court to seek the correct interpretation,� The source stated.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu had last Friday said, �We will always obey all orders of court. Even the ones we don�t agree with, or we think that it is not reasonable, we challenge it in court or we appeal that the ruling be set aside so that we can have our work done. And that is what we do.�
Iwu insisted that it is the constitution or the court that can disqualify any candidate, explaining, � one of the conditions, was that the court reaffirmed the power of the commission to verify the candidates and the documents submitted to it. I know that the media did not carry that, but it was there.�
He explained �The issue here is seek further interpretation of the court. And I think that our lawyers are doing that.
�I can give you copies of the ruling, I am not talking about speculations. I am talking about what the court said.
Mar112007