ADDRESS DELIVERED BY BARR. AYUBA WANDAI USMAN CHAIRMAN NASARAWA STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION (NASIEC) DURING A MEETING WITH THE INTER PARTY ADVISORY COUNCIL NASARAWA STATE ON WEDNESDAY 2ND OCTOBER, 2024.
Protocols.
I, on behalf of members and staff of the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission welcome you to Democracy House.
I am always honoured and overjoyed to receive you because you have consistently remained committed partners in the Nasarawa State democracy project.
As key stakeholders in Local Government Councils Elections, the Inter Party Advisory Council has demonstrated maturity and exemplified peace and decorum in its affairs thus making the polity conducive for all stakeholders to partake without hindrance in the election process.
Your continued belief in our ability as impartial umpires has been a source of joy and have continued to challenge us as a Commission to redouble our efforts in ensuring that we put in place credible and time-tested strategies in election management that will ensure free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
As you are aware, the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission is a law-abiding institution that has continued to promote adherence to Laws, Rules and Regulations governing the conduct of Local Government Councils Elections in Nasarawa State.
You will recall that the Commission conducted the last Local Government Councils Elections on Wednesday 6th October, 2021 and the present Local Government Councils Officials were sworn-in and inaugurated on Friday 8th October, 2021 for a tenure of three (3) years which will end on Monday 7th October, 2024.
You will also recall that in compliance with Extant Laws, the Commission had earlier issued a Notice of Election for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Elections on 31st August, 2023 and also fixed Saturday 31st August, 2024 for the conduct of the elections.
However, the Commission was served with an Originating Summons by the Federal High Court, Lafia in a matter filed by one Paul A. John, Esq. and 12 Others against the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission, challenging Section 8(e) of the Nasarawa State Local Government Election Law, 2018 and Sections 3j, 3k and 9 of the Local Government Councils Elections Guidelines, 2024.
As a law-abiding institution that has continued to promote adherence to Laws, Rules and Regulations governing the conduct of Local Government Councils Elections in Nasarawa State, the Commission decided to postpone indefinitely, all scheduled activities leading to the conduct of the 31st August, 2024 Local Government Councils Elections.
Having had our day in court by emerging victorious, the court dismissed the suit and upheld all our contentions. The plaintiffs, being dissatisfied with the judgement, filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal Makurdi but have suddenly filed a Notice of Withdrawal/Discontinuance of Notice of Appeal on Thursday 26th September, 2024 thus clearing the way for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Elections.
The Commission has after studying and analyzing the judgement of the Federal High Court Lafia decided today 2nd October, 2024 to issue a Notice of Election and slated the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Councils Elections to hold on 2nd November, 2024.
We are in compliance with Extant Laws releasing the Guidelines for Local Government Councils Elections 2024.
We have chosen IPAC as the first to be informed because you are our lllmost critical stakeholders in this project and it is our hope and belief that you will continue to support the Commission in delivering on our statutory mandate as always.
Thank you for listening.
God bless.
