Court okays gov election in Bayelsa, Sokoto - INEC replaces commissioner, 8 others in Bayelsa

From Lanre Adewole and Soji Ajibola - 22.05.2008

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday rejected a request by the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) to halt the re-run governorship election in Sokoto State scheduled to hold on Saturday.

Also, the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has dismissed the motion on notice filed by the Labour Party calling for the shifting of re-run governorship election in the state. The plaintiff in the Sokoto suit had asked for the suspension of the poll ordered by the Court of Appeal, Jos division, pending the determination of its suit challenging the candidature of the PDP standard-bearer, Aliyu Magawakatarda Wammako.

The LP in Bayelsa had in its motion prayed the court for the extension of election date, arguing that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not able to meet the 14 days deadline for the display of the voters register.

In a related development, INEC Chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu, said on Wednesday that he had been receiving calls, both positive and negative, from anonymous callers on the re-run governorship election slated for Saturday in Bayelsa State.

He announced appointments of new resident commissioner and eight electoral officers for the eight constitutionally-recognised local government areas in state. Speaking at an enlarged stakeholders election forum organised by the commission, Iwu said instead of sending negative text messages, the senders should have been bold enough to come out with useful suggestions that could assist the commission in the discharge of its statutory functions.