APC In Kogi Challenges Melaye’s Recall By INEC

The leadership of the party in the state is challenging the recall of Melaye without affording him fair hearing.

The Kogi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over the Commission’s insistence on the recall of Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye.

Plaintiff in the case are, the Chairman of the state arm of the party, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, and other principal officers: Shaibu Osune, S.T. Adejo, Yahaya Ismail, Isah Daniel, Chief Gbenga Asagun, Ahovi Ibrahim, Ghali Usman, Isa Abubakar, I.Molemodile, Abubakar Adamu and Daniel Sekpe.

The plaintiffs are praying the court to determine: “Whether upon a proper interpretation of the provisions of Sections 65 (2) (b), 68 (1) (g) and 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the first plaintiff’s sponsored member, Senator Melaye, to the Senate is not entitled to a fair hearing before the process of his recall as contemplated by the provisions of the aforesaid section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is initiated or commenced. Sen. Dino Melaye

“Whether by the provisions of Sections 68 and 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Senator Melaye, the plaintiffs party’s sponsored member to the Senate can be validly recalled from the Senate upon an invalid petition presented to the chairman of INEC.

“Whether the process of recall of Senator Melaye by a sponsored member of the plaintiffs party as envisaged by the provisions of section 69 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) can be valid and proper based upon a petition purportedly signed by fictitious persons, dead persons, persons who are not members of Kogi West senatorial district or constituency and with the same and similar hand writing belonging to a few persons.