The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has been joined in 71 new cases in various courts nationwide in the last 3 months.
A statement by the National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye indicates that one of those cases is the defection of the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, his deputy and 16 members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Other cases includes inter-party issues or litigants seeking various reliefs from the courts that entail consequential orders that are binding on the commission.
It also states that the commission has also been served with 9 separate orders and motions from various courts due to the case of Ebonyi State, but while the Commission was to commence deliberation on these cases, its attention was drawn to additional court processes served yesterday (Thursday) in respect of the matter.
According to the statement, the commission decided to defer its deliberation on the cases from Ebonyi State and stepped down the listed memorandum to enable its legal services and clearance committee to study the new processes in the light of those previously served, and advise the commission comprehensively.
The statement adds that INEC will meet again next week to deliberate on the matter and thereafter make its decision public.
Reporting by Ogochukwu Okoronkwo; editing by Muzha Kucha